1
as in thinned
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
the pharmacist, motivated by pure greed, would pass off the weakened drugs to unsuspecting customers, some of whom had life-threatening illnesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
left weakened by a prolonged illness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in soft
lacking strength of will or character
the nation's people, weakened by years of tyranny, tended to automatically obey anyone with an authoritative manner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
1
as in softened
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts
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3
as in diluted
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakened
Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Most healthy people recover without treatment, but severe illness can occur in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Though most people recover in four to seven days, those with weakened immune systems, including children younger than 5 and adults over 65, may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
—James Powel, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Listeria infection can cause severe and, in some cases, fatal infections in young children, older people, and individuals with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Lord & Taylor shut all its stores in 2019 after HBC sold the weakened retailer, and Hudson’s Bay in Canada liquidated last year, ending its 355-year run.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The fungus poses the greatest risk to people who are already critically ill, particularly those on ventilators or with weakened immune systems.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Rarely, more vulnerable groups — like people with weakened immune systems, and the very old and very young — can develop severe infection, which could progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Add replacement components as needed, touch up paint, and reinforce weakened areas.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
The body tries to repair the damage, but healing is often slow and incomplete, leaving the bone weakened and vulnerable to collapse or deformity — changes that can lead to lasting hip problems.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
As the labor market has weakened, wage growth has slowed, and economic disparities have grown wider, some businesses have sought to cut prices – versus raising them further – because a wider swath of Americans is struggling with affordability.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
There’s still jobs, even though it’s weakened a little bit.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Unions counter that remote work options improve efficiency for many jobs and are help state government recruit new employees — a task that became harder after union concession deals in 2009, 2011 and 2017 weakened fringe benefits.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Geopolitically weakened, Iran can’t expect its ally Russia to come to its aid, beyond shipping helicopters and harboring fleeing leaders, Carnegie Politika wrote.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Its voting-rights and campaign-finance decisions have weakened the electoral systems that make Congress responsive to the public.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran’s network of allies across the Middle East has been severely weakened.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Most people who get sick recover within a week, but infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Most healthy people recover without treatment, but severe illness can occur in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026
Though most people recover in four to seven days, those with weakened immune systems, including children younger than 5 and adults over 65, may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
—James Powel, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Listeria infection can cause severe and, in some cases, fatal infections in young children, older people, and individuals with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Lord & Taylor shut all its stores in 2019 after HBC sold the weakened retailer, and Hudson’s Bay in Canada liquidated last year, ending its 355-year run.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The fungus poses the greatest risk to people who are already critically ill, particularly those on ventilators or with weakened immune systems.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Rarely, more vulnerable groups — like people with weakened immune systems, and the very old and very young — can develop severe infection, which could progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Add replacement components as needed, touch up paint, and reinforce weakened areas.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
Complimentary data from uGMRT reveals a very steep radio spectrum indicative of old, weakened plasma particles.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
The body tries to repair the damage, but healing is often slow and incomplete, leaving the bone weakened and vulnerable to collapse or deformity — changes that can lead to lasting hip problems.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
As the labor market has weakened, wage growth has slowed, and economic disparities have grown wider, some businesses have sought to cut prices – versus raising them further – because a wider swath of Americans is struggling with affordability.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
There’s still jobs, even though it’s weakened a little bit.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Unions counter that remote work options improve efficiency for many jobs and are help state government recruit new employees — a task that became harder after union concession deals in 2009, 2011 and 2017 weakened fringe benefits.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Geopolitically weakened, Iran can’t expect its ally Russia to come to its aid, beyond shipping helicopters and harboring fleeing leaders, Carnegie Politika wrote.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Its voting-rights and campaign-finance decisions have weakened the electoral systems that make Congress responsive to the public.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran’s network of allies across the Middle East has been severely weakened.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakened
Adjective
-
Its formula of ceramides, astaxanthin, and arginine strengthen, provide elasticity, and heal weak or broken hair.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
-
These winds could occasionally trigger minor (G1-level) geomagnetic storm activity, though displays are expected to be weaker and more sporadic than those seen over the weekend.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An Educational Tool As Wikipedia’s use grew, some educators softened their stance, encouraging its use to find leads to sources that students could dig into directly.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Liverpool kept winning and the issue faded from public view.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
After nearly 80 years, hope for answers to the infamous 1947 Black Dahlia murder had faded into nothingness.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Clean Apple cider vinegar, sometimes referred to as ACV, should always be diluted for cleaning purposes.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Those sums would likely be diluted, given baseball teams carry 26 players and NBA teams carry up to 15, but money is still money.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The lagoon is the most biologically diverse estuary on the nation’s east coast, but the manatees, birds and fish that call it home are suffering dramatically from the death of seagrass and the abundance of noxious algae that thrive on polluted water.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The feeble job market may be keeping wage growth subdued, some economists point out.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The reality is that although Venezuela has vast reserves—about 17% of the entire planet’s oil is under Venezuelan soil—its production is feeble.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat, $9 with Prime The bath mat is made from memory foam that feels plush underfoot and cushions each step, unlike thin cotton mats.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is not the primary custodian of police or court records and is often asked to assist only after survivors and attorneys have exhausted other avenues.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Advertisement Venezuelans are exhausted after 26 years of Chavismo.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakened. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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