Synonyms of weakens

weakens

verb

present tense third-person singular of weaken

1

as in softens

to diminish the physical strength of

weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• softens
• debilitates
• hurts
• injures
• wastes
• saps
• exhausts
• enfeebles
• enervates
• paralyzes
• depletes
• impairs
• tires
• damages
• depresses
• cripples
• disables
• prostrates
• incapacitates
• impoverishes
• harms
• devitalizes
• etiolates
• hamstrings
• grinds (down)
• invalids
• wears out
• unmans
• wears down
• lays up
• washes out
• breaks down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthens
• fortifies
• energizes
• invigorates
• rejuvenates
• recruits
• hardens
• vitalizes
• seasons
• toughens
• beefs (up)

2

as in fades

to lose bodily strength or vigor

the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fades
• sags
• fails
• goes
• deteriorates
• sinks
• decays
• droops
• lags
• wilts
• languishes
• withers
• wastes (away)
• flags
• rots
• emaciates
• yields
• breaks down
• wears out
• degenerates
• runs down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovers
• recuperates
• rebounds
• rallies
• gains
• convalesces

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

• dilutes
• infects
• thins
• pollutes
• cuts
• loads
• manipulates
• extends
• poisons
• adulterates
• degrades
• dirties
• taints
• waters down
• spoils
• contaminates
• corrupts
• laces
• sullies
• debases
• misrepresents
• soils
• cheapens
• defiles
• attenuates
• falsifies
• sophisticates
• tempers
• qualifies
• moderates
• tampers (with)
• befouls
• fouls
• counterfeits
• spikes
• doctors
• envenoms
• fudges
• fakes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthens
• enriches
• reinforces
• fortifies
• augments
• fertilizes
• improves
• supplements
• enhances
• purifies
• clarifies
• refines
• cleans
• richens
• cleanses
• distills
• filters
• leaches
• purges
• flushes
• lards
• condenses
• concentrates
• betters
• decontaminates
• compacts
• pasteurizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of weakens

Fresh concrete is alkaline enough to shield the metal from rust, but carbonation gradually lowers its pH and weakens that protection. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 11 July 2026

As the sun grows lighter, its gravitational grip weakens, pushing the surviving planets outward into a wider orbit that could double their distance from the star, according to NASA. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026

If the labor market weakens, then the FOMC may be a little more reluctant to raise interest rates due to risking job losses and a potential economic slowdown. — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

This environment contributes directly to rising academic dishonesty and weakens the intrinsic value traditionally associated with intellectual development. — Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Without the match sweetening the deal, the argument for prioritizing retirement contributions over debt payoff weakens somewhat — though the tax deduction on traditional 401(k) contributions still has value. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026

When sunlight weakens, the system cools down and draws less current. — New Atlas, 21 June 2026