Definition of weakennext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word weaken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weaken are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, and undermine. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

When would cripple be a good substitute for weaken?

While in some cases nearly identical to weaken, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

Where would debilitate be a reasonable alternative to weaken?

The words debilitate and weaken can be used in similar contexts, but debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could disable be used to replace weaken?

While the synonyms disable and weaken are close in meaning, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than weaken?

The synonyms enfeeble and weaken are sometimes interchangeable, but enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of weaken?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weaken These results indicate that after attaining a maximum value about 2 billion years ago, dark energy may have begun to weaken. Quanta Magazine, 22 June 2026 In November 2025, research was published that suggested the expansion of the universe was slowing, meaning dark energy would be weakening. Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 June 2026 The Supreme Court's move comes almost two months after its conservative supermajority issued a major ruling that further weakened the Voting Rights Act, setting off a groundswell in redistricting across the country. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 22 June 2026 Aphids can weaken ferns and lead to yellowing fronds. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • Speaking of glow, Medicube is also marking down their milky toner, which helps boost radiance, soften skin, and increase hydration.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 June 2026
  • Grandchildren tend to soften even the most complicated family disputes.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • But Rosales said that tradition was fading, possibly another casualty of a more cutthroat political climate.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
  • The pen barrel depicts fields of wheat that fade into plowed farmland and trees, with distant mountains rising beneath a vast open sky.
    Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The expansion was supposed to dilute the product.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • However, stubborn inflation continues to dilute some of this momentum.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • An underage girl was injured and treated at a hospital.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • Sixty-six people were injured in the incident.
    Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Peptide skin-care products have the unique ability to target a host of skin concerns, from sagging to an impaired skin barrier, in part because there are so many different types of peptides.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 June 2026
  • During my thirties, sagging skin wasn’t really an issue for me.
    Leah Groth, InStyle, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The news comes as Lackland Air Force Base in Texas — home to the Air Force's Basic Military Training program — grapples with a flu outbreak that has infected 275 people in recent weeks, a congressional staffer with knowledge of the matter told CBS News.
    Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • Hall was infected in the 2000s and diagnosed in 2006, according to the Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Jewel was once homeless and suffering from debilitating mental health issues before transforming her life and becoming a successful singer and songwriter.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • According to Harvard University, symptoms can sometimes last more than a year and vary from mild to debilitating.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The biggest transaction of his tenure occurred when Shohei Ohtani left the Angels after six seasons for the Dodgers in late 2023, the Angels failing to trade Ohtani for prospects before Ohtani became a free agent.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • Twice already, in November of 2025 and February of this year, the seven states involved in re-negotiating water rights and use along with the 100-year old treaty kicked the can down the road and failed to come to an agreement on water sharing.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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