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
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Recent Examples of weakening
Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Isolation leads to inbreeding, genetic weakening and eventual population collapse.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
It is anticipated that supervisors will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of voters, by pretending this measure is a new implementation of term limits instead of a weakening of term limits.
—John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, under his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Media consolidation has accelerated the disappearance of the mid-budget film, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market, the elimination of meaningful profit participation, and the weakening of screen credit integrity.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Media consolidation has accelerated the disappearance of the mid-budget film, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market, the elimination of meaningful profit participation, and the weakening of screen credit integrity.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Since 2024, the only adjustments the Fed has made to the target range have been down, largely driven by signs of a weakening economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act aimed to prevent mapmakers from weakening the voting power of racial minorities by either packing them into one district or spreading them out across too many districts to have an impact.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The case is part of a larger national redistricting battle where Republicans and Democrats have redrawn House districts, with the Supreme Court’s ruling significantly weakening minority protections under the Voting Rights Act.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Fed officials voted to cut rates three times to close 2025 out of concern for a weakening job market.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Onion Grass These invasive weeds are fast-growing and rob your grass of water, nutrients, and sunlight, weakening your garden over time, says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
Muscle loss and bone weakening Numerous studies have documented that rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other medications can cause significant muscle loss, especially in people who don’t increase their protein intake.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Speaking in Russia’s State Duma (parliament) last week, Zyuganov warned the country could face a Bolshevik-style revolution if the government fails to address the weakening economy.
—Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Isolation leads to inbreeding, genetic weakening and eventual population collapse.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
It is anticipated that supervisors will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of voters, by pretending this measure is a new implementation of term limits instead of a weakening of term limits.
—John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, under his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Media consolidation has accelerated the disappearance of the mid-budget film, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market, the elimination of meaningful profit participation, and the weakening of screen credit integrity.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Media consolidation has accelerated the disappearance of the mid-budget film, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market, the elimination of meaningful profit participation, and the weakening of screen credit integrity.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Dunn said Black domestic workers were often forced to work longer on election days by their white families, weakening their chances of casting a ballot.
—Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Since 2024, the only adjustments the Fed has made to the target range have been down, largely driven by signs of a weakening economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act aimed to prevent mapmakers from weakening the voting power of racial minorities by either packing them into one district or spreading them out across too many districts to have an impact.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The case is part of a larger national redistricting battle where Republicans and Democrats have redrawn House districts, with the Supreme Court’s ruling significantly weakening minority protections under the Voting Rights Act.
—Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Fed officials voted to cut rates three times to close 2025 out of concern for a weakening job market.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Onion Grass These invasive weeds are fast-growing and rob your grass of water, nutrients, and sunlight, weakening your garden over time, says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
Muscle loss and bone weakening Numerous studies have documented that rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other medications can cause significant muscle loss, especially in people who don’t increase their protein intake.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
-
The aim wasn’t a knockout, but the gradual deterioration of San Antonio.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
-
Mayor Gloria’s egregious record of reckless spending has contributed to the steady deterioration of our city’s fiscal and civic health.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Asch recommends finding a driver-friendly activity to make time on the road feel less draining, such as listening to an audiobook or podcast.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After a decade of animosity, opinion polls show Americans’ views of China are softening, especially among the young.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With hindsight perhaps softening memories of sunstroke, cast members and a number of below-the-line crew now fairly rhapsodize about the uniqueness of the shoot.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Best gentle shampoo for colored hair This award-winning shampoo and conditioner duo is made with organic rose oil and peaches, which revive dull or fading color.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The Southern Living Plant Collection includes 'Sunset Celebration' gaillardia, which is red and yellow and resists fading.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Deter bees from soaking up the nectar by diluting the blend, mixing it with more water than sugar.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
15 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, the suit alleges that management and company affiliates enriched themselves — through operating fees, development fees, property-management and leasing fees, reimbursements and insider-favoring transactions — while diluting investor equity.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the third, and most debilitating, patients withdraw from the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Cobain had struggled for years with depression, substance abuse issues and a debilitating, unexplained stomach ailment.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The city is wasting an enormous amount of city funds by trying to maintain the Housing First program, which involves nearly $1 million per unit of housing and a lifetime of dependency by the homeless individual.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
With the cost of living rising, leaders should create relief instead of collecting money, then wasting it through their vast bureaucracy.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Another shopper highlighted that the fabric has just the right amount of structure to drape well without sagging or clinging.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
-
Some influencers claim that releasing tight fascia in the face can rebuild collagen and lift sagging tissues in the face, leading to firmer skin, but experts are skeptical about any long-lasting benefit.—
Scott Haak,
EverydayHealth.com,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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