1
as in softens
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fades
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 dilutes
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 weakens
That limits air movement, reduces water infiltration, restricts root growth, and weakens biological activity.
—
Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
By Thursday night, geomagnetic activity weakens and retreats north, making aurora visibility in Iowa unlikely or very limited.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Economists and traders are at odds over whether Australia’s central bank will deliver another interest-rate increase in May or wait for the fallout from the Iran war, as a split board weakens conviction for a third consecutive hike.
—Swati Pandey, Bloomberg, 18 Mar. 2026
When presidents sidestep formal addresses and Congress declines to insist upon them, the deliberative architecture of the republic weakens.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Dark money significantly weakens democracy.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Even as the wealth tax debate weakens Khanna’s support among Silicon Valley heavyweights, this may not be enough to unseat him, Maviglio said, noting the tax would affect fewer than 250 people in the state.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
This weakens the plant and can cause dieback.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways In OSA, the complex interplay between intermittent oxygen deprivation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic nervous system overactivity generates a vicious cycle that weakens the immune system and fosters low-grade inflammation.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026
Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
By Thursday night, geomagnetic activity weakens and retreats north, making aurora visibility in Iowa unlikely or very limited.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Economists and traders are at odds over whether Australia’s central bank will deliver another interest-rate increase in May or wait for the fallout from the Iran war, as a split board weakens conviction for a third consecutive hike.
—Swati Pandey, Bloomberg, 18 Mar. 2026
When presidents sidestep formal addresses and Congress declines to insist upon them, the deliberative architecture of the republic weakens.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Dark money significantly weakens democracy.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Even as the wealth tax debate weakens Khanna’s support among Silicon Valley heavyweights, this may not be enough to unseat him, Maviglio said, noting the tax would affect fewer than 250 people in the state.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
This weakens the plant and can cause dieback.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways In OSA, the complex interplay between intermittent oxygen deprivation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic nervous system overactivity generates a vicious cycle that weakens the immune system and fosters low-grade inflammation.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
-
Your intense focus thrives when self-judgment softens.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This gel also softens stool and slows digestion.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dynamism fades, and stasis settles in.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But as anyone who has ever tried to pick a perfect bracket knows, confidence fades fast once the games begin.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The plans allow existing stockholders to buy shares at a steep discount, which dilutes the value and voting power of new share purchases.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While most vegetables contain 80 to 90 percent water, overwatering adds too much moisture and dilutes the flavor of the harvest.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The roof flakes, the porch sags.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Their constant companion in the campaign is the Amazona 180 bag that made its debut on the Loewe runway last October, a slouchy, one-handle style that sags open when left unzipped.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For me, boredom is a destabilizing state that infects the very experiences that make life meaningful.—
Daniel Smith,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Board of Governors Chairman Alan Levine said states could pursue their own solutions if Congress fails to act, including potential interstate agreements designed to withstand antitrust challenges.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
If that fails, there's room down toward the $260 200-day.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Rangers will need to carry Baumler on the major league roster for the entire season, or send him back to the Baltimore Orioles, which thins some of their flexibility.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
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And over time, the barrage will likely become less effective and more deadly to civilians – as the target list thins out and the items the Americans and Israelis need to hit become more enmeshed in civilian life.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And her book goes a long way in explaining why.—
Alexander Kaplan,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Sahil, who goes only by one name, ran his finger down a page, searching for his brother Mohammad Yahya.—
Fazelminallah Qazizai,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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