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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakening
Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Moscow has been trying to hang onto its military assets in Syria but since Assad's overthrow, Russian assets have departed, weakening Russia's presence in the region.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Further, America’s adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are collaborating more closely than ever in an axis of autocrats which enable them to combine strengths in their collective goal of weakening the United States.
—Michael Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The crusade against inclusionary hiring practices and policies is being promoted by incoming GOP lawmakers who claim the effort is weakening the strength of federal defense agencies.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
The administration has suggested that holding bitcoin could hedge against inflation and a weakening dollar.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In December the agency concluded that there was a risk that the takeover of the iconic American company could pose a national security threat by potentially weakening the country's industry and shrinking its steel production.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
As kidney function worsens, phosphorus builds up in the blood, weakening the bones.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Moscow has been trying to hang onto its military assets in Syria but since Assad's overthrow, Russian assets have departed, weakening Russia's presence in the region.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Further, America’s adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are collaborating more closely than ever in an axis of autocrats which enable them to combine strengths in their collective goal of weakening the United States.
—Michael Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The crusade against inclusionary hiring practices and policies is being promoted by incoming GOP lawmakers who claim the effort is weakening the strength of federal defense agencies.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
The administration has suggested that holding bitcoin could hedge against inflation and a weakening dollar.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In December the agency concluded that there was a risk that the takeover of the iconic American company could pose a national security threat by potentially weakening the country's industry and shrinking its steel production.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
As kidney function worsens, phosphorus builds up in the blood, weakening the bones.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
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Most of the time, the summer slide—in other words, the deterioration of intellectual skills gained during the school year, during a period when kids are on breaks—is associated with a student’s reading skills, says Alexander.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
25 June 2025
-
The disease causes deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, a process that sets off a series of worsening symptoms.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
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Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.—
Robert Barone,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Luckily, Pattinson manages to keep things buoyant without diluting the late-capitalism metaphors or the melancholy existentialism.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
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But the migration of once theatrical only entries to streaming services has taken its toll on the movie box office, diluting interest in the awards gala.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In a photo Estrada used to announce a reward for his capture, Wedding had long, stringy hair that seemed to be thinning, steely blue eyes, and a beard.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2025
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The women’s nutraceutical, shown here, comprises of minerals, vitamins, and other natural ingredients designed to tackle hair thinning in women aged 18 to 44.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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No cause of death information was released, but Ralphs had been bed-ridden since suffering a debilitating stroke days after a Bad Company show — ultimately his last — at London’s O2 Arena on Oct. 29, 2016.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
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The scheduling announcement comes as the U.S. and China have squabbled over numerous issues in the midst of a debilitating trade war that threatens both economic superpowers.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Having no willingness to pay Tucker and failing to approach pending free agent Framber Valdez this spring about an extension is more emblematic of how the Astros have always conducted business.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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The Millsap school board unanimously accepted the resignation of Superintendent Edie Martin, who was recently arrested and faces a charge related to failing to report abuse of special education students.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Herd immunity is the percent of the population that needs to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of a disease spreading and infecting those who can’t get vaccinated, either because of age, pregnancy or medical conditions.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
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The researchers then tested the cheeses over time to see whether any virus capable of infecting cells remained.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Rays led 2-0 with a chance to blow things open in the sixth inning after loading the bases with none out against Braves newcomer Rafael Montero on two walks and a single.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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In the now-viral clip, the working breed is seen doing domestic chores—including placing shoes in a different room, tossing paper into a bin and loading laundry into a basket—after receiving verbal cues from his owner.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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