1
as in to soften
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weaken
Advertisement The decision freed the states previously limited by preclearance to weaken voting protections, add requirements conditioning the right to vote, and close polling places.
—
Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Environmental groups for weeks had lobbied legislators to weaken the CEQA exemptions that were approved in the summer.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Nasdaq Composite notched a new high on Friday as investors took signs of weakening jobs and tame inflation to mean the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next week.
—Sean Conlon,yun Li, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
If the plaque weakens and breaks apart, large clumps are released into the blood stream, and a large clump can block an artery, completely shutting off blood flow and causing a heart attack.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Environmental groups for weeks had lobbied legislators to weaken the CEQA exemptions that were approved in the summer.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Nasdaq Composite notched a new high on Friday as investors took signs of weakening jobs and tame inflation to mean the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next week.
—Sean Conlon,yun Li, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
If the plaque weakens and breaks apart, large clumps are released into the blood stream, and a large clump can block an artery, completely shutting off blood flow and causing a heart attack.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
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What’s more, a lot of Americans still have mortgage rates that are low enough to make the idea of a move daunting, and affordability overall hasn’t improved much even as the economy has softened.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The economic environment remains foggy, with uncertainty around tariffs and a labor market that, while softening in some areas, remains remarkably resilient in others.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After a pause, the composition takes on a searching quality, as the melody travels from one instrument to the next, including a compelling viola solo performed by principal viola Maiya Papach, eventually fading out to nothing, leaving the audience suspended in uneasy quiet.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
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The long-standing expectation was that these resonance signals would fade and become negligible as the momentum transfer increased.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of the erosion of credibility, young American Jews across the country tell me, stems from those who insist all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, diluting the term's power.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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In his interview with CNN, Metzger said those measures could include the government stepping in to dilute space corporations’ equity or creating some sort of universal basic income.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The severity, healing and availability of Purdy’s toe will depend heavily on which toe is injured and what specific part of the toe got injured.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cracker Barrel was looking to draw new customers, especially younger ones, after years of sagging sales.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Policymakers are widely expected to lower their benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point next week to prop up the sagging job market.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cats can become infected by ingesting raw meat or prey that carries the parasite.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, the biggest reasons for optimism coming out of such a debilitating loss are a defense that held up to the test and a defensive line that was dominant in the second half.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Griffin, who does clinical work in Long Island, New York, said his sister-in-law is in her 40s and quite wary of long COVID, the enduring, debilitating health issues that have afflicted millions of Americans who contracted the coronavirus.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Likely to have less impact on your buying decision (but still reside in the back of your mind) is that if one of the triple-panel fans fails, the entire triple-fan unit needs replacing, not just one fan.—
Thomas Soderstrom,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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The new glue has impressive properties, including its ability to withstand significant forces before failing.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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