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
Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2, a degenerative disease that gradually weakens muscles.
—
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Unlike some of the burger chain’s peers, Cramer said McDonald’s has immense scale and strength and is making an effort to lower prices as consumer spending weakens.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Venus’ clash with Chiron weakens your confidence.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Without light and air, the grass weakens and dies instead of going into winter dormancy.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
For many shrubs, pruning in the fall weakens the plant by spurring tender new growth that is vulnerable to coming frosts.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Cities that people left during the pandemic have found a new popularity as the economy weakens, Zhao said.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Unlike some of the burger chain’s peers, Cramer said McDonald’s has immense scale and strength and is making an effort to lower prices as consumer spending weakens.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Venus’ clash with Chiron weakens your confidence.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Without light and air, the grass weakens and dies instead of going into winter dormancy.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
For many shrubs, pruning in the fall weakens the plant by spurring tender new growth that is vulnerable to coming frosts.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Cities that people left during the pandemic have found a new popularity as the economy weakens, Zhao said.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
-
Gently simmer until the garlic softens, about 20 minutes.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The fabric is washing machine safe and softens with age.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Along with being functional, these bowls offer a modern look with an embossed texture surrounding the exterior and gradient color scheme that fades from the smallest bowl to the largest.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But once the novelty fades, no one will care how a video was made.—
Victor Riparbelli,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Opponents argue that the new map dilutes the voting power of Black residents in eastern North Carolina.—
Adam Wagner,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Yes, growth is tempting — launching podcasts, videos, new products — but every expansion dilutes focus.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His eerie behavior soon infects the quiet rhythms of their rural town, sparking paranoia, violence, and death.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the United States each year, according to the CDC, and kills about 172.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement As the world fails to meet its 2025 Paris Agreement target, climate leaders from across industries are working overtime to make up for the lack of global governmental action.—
Erin McMullen,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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For this new study in particular, the researchers focused on the 5FU, which often both fails to reach cancer cells efficiently and attacks healthy tissue—causing side effects like nausea, fatigue and, in rare cases, even heart failure.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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From towering lemon pies to delicate cookie thins, this collaboration captures Martha Stewart’s timeless elegance, giving dessert lovers a chance to celebrate the season with style and a little extra sweetness.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
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Ice plains can prompt fast retreat because as the glacier thins, the ice starts to rise up and water pushes underneath into its crevasses, exerting pressure and causing large slabs to break off — in a process called calving.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And Biltmore Estate goes above and beyond on the festive front.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The first shift after all the previous staff shakeups goes surprisingly well.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Debris pollutes waterways, cooking fires may spread, and the District Attorney’s Office has repeatedly documented how homeless residents are more likely to be victims of crime.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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