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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
But babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic lung conditions are more likely to get seriously sick, developing illnesses like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
—Evan Moore
november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
But in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems, Listeria can be deadly.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 3 Nov. 2025
The consumption of food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a dangerous infection that can seriously affect older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns, according to the the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
The agency also warns that the infection is most likely to affect pregnant women and newborns, adults 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Listeria infection can cause severe illness, particularly among pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
But despite the weakened state, Melissa hammered Cuba, which has an ailing power grid and is still recovering from years of back-to-back storm hits.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
But as some have wryly noted, with a much weakened opposition, in each country, the incumbent probably has less need to rig the ballot.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Additionally, infrastructure already weakened by previous flooding may be increasingly unreliable.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Over the past three decades, changes within the liberal democratic world have weakened the appeal of this system, including for many Americans.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Murphy and Roberston devote their first act to the series of Conference of the Parties (COP) summits that preceded the climactic negotiations in Kyoto in 1997, which instituted a framework, severely weakened by compromise, for international cooperation on reducing emissions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
His paws began to knuckle and his back legs weakened.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
With projects bracing for termination, mission teams broken apart and safety protocols weakened, the guardrails that once kept NASA from repeating its worst tragedies are being stripped away in real time.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The group has seen a revival in the past four years, after counterterrorism campaigns significantly weakened it around a decade ago.
—NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The illness can be dangerous or life-threatening, particularly to older adults, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
But babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic lung conditions are more likely to get seriously sick, developing illnesses like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
—Evan Moore
november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
But in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems, Listeria can be deadly.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 3 Nov. 2025
The consumption of food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a dangerous infection that can seriously affect older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns, according to the the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
The agency also warns that the infection is most likely to affect pregnant women and newborns, adults 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Listeria infection can cause severe illness, particularly among pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
But despite the weakened state, Melissa hammered Cuba, which has an ailing power grid and is still recovering from years of back-to-back storm hits.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
But as some have wryly noted, with a much weakened opposition, in each country, the incumbent probably has less need to rig the ballot.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Additionally, infrastructure already weakened by previous flooding may be increasingly unreliable.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Over the past three decades, changes within the liberal democratic world have weakened the appeal of this system, including for many Americans.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Murphy and Roberston devote their first act to the series of Conference of the Parties (COP) summits that preceded the climactic negotiations in Kyoto in 1997, which instituted a framework, severely weakened by compromise, for international cooperation on reducing emissions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
His paws began to knuckle and his back legs weakened.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
With projects bracing for termination, mission teams broken apart and safety protocols weakened, the guardrails that once kept NASA from repeating its worst tragedies are being stripped away in real time.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The group has seen a revival in the past four years, after counterterrorism campaigns significantly weakened it around a decade ago.
—NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakened
Adjective
-
New orders contracted for a fourth month and export bookings remained weak, based on the ISM data.—
Reade Pickert Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Getting too little of either can lead to weak, brittle bones, and too much can also cause problems (like kidney stones or nausea).—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Add bell pepper, onion, scallions; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.—
Amanda Stanfield,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
But that’s also true of every Democrat who won on Tuesday — including Mamdani himself, who has softened some of his stances on policing including past calls to defund the NYPD and build no new jails.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Once the flowers have faded, trim the stalks 1 to 2 inches above the bulb, retaining the green foliage.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Lakers faded down the stretch to 27 points from the Spurs’ Keldon Johnson and 16 points and 14 rebounds by Victor Wembanyama.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Justice sued Texas in 2021, alleging its maps diluted minority voting power, but the case ended before any ruling.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Bleach should never be used on a mattress, even if it's diluted.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Webster believes that Bongino and Patel have become polluted by the same swamp that Trump has again and again vowed to clean up.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The hottest quarterback right now is Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, who had his career-best day last week against the feeble Jets.—
Kevin Cusick,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
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
-
Wilson’s departure leaves Mizzou without both of its starting edge rushers from last season, as Zion Young exhausted his eligibility.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Back and forth, back and forth, until both are exhausted.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakened. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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