as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the all-too-apparent weakening of our grandfather was hard on our mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in softening
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 fading
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 diluting
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 weakening
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
This weakening of the teeth of the apex predators could affect the broader marine ecosystem, too.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 Jan. 2026
Another factor driving investors into gold is the weakening dollar, according to investment analysts.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Developers are divided about how much this signals a weakening of what has been a scorchingly hot market for new multifamily housing.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Affordability has become a potent political issue, especially with the job market weakening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Jewish and civil rights groups blasted the move as weakening safeguards, fueling criticism that Mamdani’s early agenda signals hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Any weakening of Section 2's current redistricting provisions also puts at risk representation by other racial and ethnic minorities and at lower levels of government.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
While the economy has been resilient for the most part, any weakening in 2026 could have an outsize effect on more price-sensitive consumers and, therefore, airlines that are more exposed to coach-class domestic travel, like lower-cost carriers.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Skies will be sunny, with winds weakening by the afternoon.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Gold also continued its rally as investors are flocking to the safe haven amid challenges to the Federal Reserve’s independence and a weakening dollar.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This trend comes as investors are hedging against a weakening dollar and pivoting away from traditional assets.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
The finance minister’s comments come after Takaichi sent a fresh warning on Sunday that the government will be ready to take action amid a weakening yen and surging bond yields.
—Mia Glass, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Critics have also accused him of entrenching corruption, weakening public services, and expanding his control over the judiciary and security forces.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Leveling threats of tariffs on adversaries and allies alike has been relatively easy, but the result has been a weakening of the economy and American trade ties, and a crumbling of the old global-trade system.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
This weakening of the teeth of the apex predators could affect the broader marine ecosystem, too.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 Jan. 2026
Another factor driving investors into gold is the weakening dollar, according to investment analysts.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Developers are divided about how much this signals a weakening of what has been a scorchingly hot market for new multifamily housing.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Affordability has become a potent political issue, especially with the job market weakening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Jewish and civil rights groups blasted the move as weakening safeguards, fueling criticism that Mamdani’s early agenda signals hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Any weakening of Section 2's current redistricting provisions also puts at risk representation by other racial and ethnic minorities and at lower levels of government.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
While the economy has been resilient for the most part, any weakening in 2026 could have an outsize effect on more price-sensitive consumers and, therefore, airlines that are more exposed to coach-class domestic travel, like lower-cost carriers.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the images were aimed less at reassuring the public than at boosting morale among the regime’s weakening security forces.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Skies will be sunny, with winds weakening by the afternoon.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Gold also continued its rally as investors are flocking to the safe haven amid challenges to the Federal Reserve’s independence and a weakening dollar.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This trend comes as investors are hedging against a weakening dollar and pivoting away from traditional assets.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
The finance minister’s comments come after Takaichi sent a fresh warning on Sunday that the government will be ready to take action amid a weakening yen and surging bond yields.
—Mia Glass, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Critics have also accused him of entrenching corruption, weakening public services, and expanding his control over the judiciary and security forces.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
-
To be sure, the deterioration in human rights protections predates Trump’s return to office.—
Philippe Bolopion,
Time,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Why Gasket Maintenance Is Essential A dirty gasket leads to deterioration of the seal, which can cause temperature fluctuations, spoiled food, and bacterial growth.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
-
By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Is there a downside to softening butter quickly?—
Molly Allen,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
-
With a severe deficiency, bone softening (a condition called osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children) may develop.—
Mark Stibich,
Verywell Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Data Privacy Week is one of those calendar moments that risks fading into the background.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The oil’s powerhouse formula has a number of benefits, including brightening skin and fading age spots.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The host acts as dead weight, occupying space without contributing any heat-storage capacity, ultimately diluting the material’s overall efficiency.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
-
While cleaning vinegar is prized for its strength, experts sometimes recommend diluting it with water.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Just south of those areas, a debilitating and destructive ice storm that will undoubtedly shut down airports and entire cities for days leaving millions without power.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Strategic attacks on leadership, command and control, electricity, transportation, and communications had a debilitating effect on Iraqi forces in the field.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The morning favors slow starts, nudging us to notice needs early and respond without wasting time.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
-
When monitoring is ignored, and problems go uncorrected, large federal programs can operate for years without adequate safeguards, wasting taxpayer dollars.—
Sheila Weinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Body oils can help tighten the look of mildly sagging or crepey skin by improving hydration and overall skin health.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Also, to watch for sagging ridgelines, drooping ceilings, water leaks on interior walls and ceilings, jammed doors, cracked interior walls near the center of the home and creaking sounds, according to State Farm.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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