WEAKENS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

weakens

verb

Definition of weakens next

present tense third-person singular of weaken

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

as in fades

to lose bodily strength or vigor the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of weakens Even if the petrodollar weakens, dollar dominance still rests on other factors that other currencies can’t match, according to Paul Blustein, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. —

Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026 When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks. —

Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026 Just seven days’ exposure to shipping noise weakens the immune systems of blue mussels; but a process called acoustic enrichment, broadcasting the sound of a healthy reef, can attract marine life back to a bleached one, restitching the acoustic fabric of an entire ecosystem. —

Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 If oil prices stay high and keep upward pressure on inflation, the Federal Reserve would have a tough time resuming its cuts to interest rates to help the slowing economy, even if the job market weakens. —

Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 The immune system naturally weakens with age, making older adults less responsive to standard vaccines. —

Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026 At the same time, the traditional snowmelt pulse, relied on to fill reservoirs in late spring, weakens. —

Imtiaz Rangwala, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026 An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the lower wall of the body’s main artery weakens, creating a bulging, enlarged area in the blood vessel. —

Brianna Abbott, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026 Rather than decreasing the volume of betting, this restriction weakens legal operators by removing the clearest signals consumers have about which platforms are regulated and safe. —

Cláudia Nunes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens

Verb

According to Charles Schwab, nearly 40% of individuals with $1 million-plus investible assets say travel will be their luxury spend, even as spending on traditional luxury goods softens.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
After chopping, let the tomatoes sit with the garlic and vinegar for at least 30 minutes, until everything softens.

— Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026