weakened 1 of 2

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as in thin
not containing very much of some important element some experts recommend that runners drink a weakened mixture of juice and water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weakened

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verb

past tense of weaken
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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 weakened
Adjective
When people use contaminated soap, bacteria can enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin and lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Jenna Anderson, HEALTH, 16 Sep. 2026 Even children vaccinated for varicella, such as those in the United States since 1995, still have dormant virus in their neurons, since the vaccine uses a live but weakened strain. Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be especially dangerous for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals and newborns. Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Infections can be particularly serious among young children, older adults and other people with weakened immune systems, sometimes causing fatal infections. Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026 Most people recover within several days, but infections can become serious for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Some people—especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 However, Alt was limited to just six games after dealing with multiple ankle injuries, leaving the Chargers' offensive line in a weakened state. Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Now, some fear a weakened Voting Rights Act could cause those gains to be reversed, Tamar Hallerman reports. Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Some trees succumbed to insects after being weakened by drought. Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 More than eight in 10 voters support tapping the state’s flush coffers to bolster human service programs weakened by severe federal cutbacks, according to a new poll commissioned by Connecticut nonprofit social service agencies. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 But policing in South Africa is weakened by corruption and lack of resources. Reuters, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026 Hezbollah was severely weakened in the last war that ended in November 2024, and Lebanon subsequently elected Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who committed to disarming Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in the country. ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 The coming-of-age experience—friendships, independence, experimentation—has become less obviously dependent on the campus surrounding it, partly because college’s monopoly on exposure to a wider world weakened. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 His treatment has consisted of five rounds of chemotherapy, with each round lasting about a week, followed by several weeks of recovery in the hospital as his immune system becomes severely weakened. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 The fish, having been medicated by this point, would have weakened immune systems unable to protect them against parasites. John Donegan Long Beach Post, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026 Monday’s repeal still leaves in place certain rules limiting air pollutants such as mercury and lead, although these standards have already been weakened. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakened
Adjective
  • This is where studying microbes that already live in polluted environments gives us an advantage.
    Catherine Armbruster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In Wilmington, officials are looking into why a couple of polluted tidal creeks in the area are struggling to recover despite restoration efforts.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Ferries are a common method of travel and accidents occur regularly, in part due to weak enforcement of safety standards.
    IMAN SATRIA, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • This time a year ago, a weak La Niña — El Niño’s cool counterpart — was in place, and only a handful of other years have had such a rapid flip to a potent El Niño, including the strongest ever event from 1982 to 1983.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the coming weeks, Venus' crescent will grow ever thinner while its apparent size grows larger as the planet moves closer to Earth.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Little by little as the day went on, the ranks of us still in the running grew thinner.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Slim retro trainers and terrace shoes brought them closer to everyday fashion; ballet sneakers softened the silhouettes.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Broil, flipping once, until browned and softened, 6 to 8 minutes per side.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The basil has wilted, the beach towels have been stowed away, the tan has faded.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Her relief faded when the pharmacist told her that the price had once again gone up, leaving her with no choice but to underdose the lifesaving medication.
    Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Chill the ingredients before blending so the ice stays frozen longer and creates a thicker margarita without becoming overly diluted.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The addition of more windows and days of the week, including Wednesday and Friday games, has further diluted the product.
    Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • There has to be something more than this, looking feeble against a rookie lefty with average stuff followed by the worst bullpen in baseball.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Kenneth Branagh originated the somewhat aloof professor, who steps into the role after Professor Quirrell was revealed to be hosting the feeble Lord Voldemort on the back of his bald head.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weakened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakened. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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