1
as in softens
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit this week ahead of Abbott’s signing the bill, saying the new map weakens the electoral influence of Black voters.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
That abduction overstretches and weakens the muscles that control the scapula, including the middle traps, lower traps, and rhomboids, which can lead to pain and increase injury risk in the upper back and shoulders.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
Drinking alcohol also weakens collagen and elastin (the stuff that keeps skin bouncy and firm) and can contribute to volume loss and broken capillaries—the tiny red veins that pop up around the nose and cheeks.
—Donna Francis, Allure, 25 Aug. 2025
This temporarily weakens the storm, reducing its peak wind speed.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2025
Trump's approach dismisses collective security and weakens NATO's cohesion.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Blurring the line between military and law enforcement weakens the foundation of a free society.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit this week ahead of Abbott’s signing the bill, saying the new map weakens the electoral influence of Black voters.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
That abduction overstretches and weakens the muscles that control the scapula, including the middle traps, lower traps, and rhomboids, which can lead to pain and increase injury risk in the upper back and shoulders.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
Drinking alcohol also weakens collagen and elastin (the stuff that keeps skin bouncy and firm) and can contribute to volume loss and broken capillaries—the tiny red veins that pop up around the nose and cheeks.
—Donna Francis, Allure, 25 Aug. 2025
This temporarily weakens the storm, reducing its peak wind speed.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2025
Trump's approach dismisses collective security and weakens NATO's cohesion.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Blurring the line between military and law enforcement weakens the foundation of a free society.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
-
Arrive early—even at this altitude, the snow softens into slush by midday.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Bakar’s presence softens Bieber’s bad attitude and makes the track a little more romantic.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
And when history is forgotten, respect for it fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chasing broad keywords dilutes value.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Screwworm is actually a fly that gets its name from how its larva infects a host.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
It’s caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells through the bite of a tick.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And really, if Young fails, Canales fails, too.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Alternatively, a star being ripped apart in TDE could produce a day-long GRB, but this scenario fails to replicate other properties of the GRB 250702B, an explosion that would require a very unusual star being destroyed by an even stranger black hole.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rack railways climb toward Mürren and Wengen, where the air thins and the views sharpen—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau etched against cobalt sky.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As for Cracker Barrel, where the company goes from here is anyone’s guess.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, the use of harsh chemicals pollutes water and soil during lithium extraction.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2025
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Excessive fertilizer pollutes both soil and water systems.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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