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
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
When enforcement weakens or support erodes, accountability inevitably follows tragedy.
—Christina Diaz, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The dryer weakens the delicate threads and the motion can cause tears and snags.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Rockwell understood that democracy weakens when leaders become symbols rather than participants.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 7 Jan. 2026
As centralized authority weakens, those actors could exploit the vacuum, expanding control over territory and smuggling routes.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
That means policy is unlikely to loosen much in the near term, keeping rates higher than many expected and possibly disappointing investors, unless inflation drops sharply or the job weakens unexpectedly.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
When enforcement weakens or support erodes, accountability inevitably follows tragedy.
—Christina Diaz, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The dryer weakens the delicate threads and the motion can cause tears and snags.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Rockwell understood that democracy weakens when leaders become symbols rather than participants.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 7 Jan. 2026
As centralized authority weakens, those actors could exploit the vacuum, expanding control over territory and smuggling routes.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
That means policy is unlikely to loosen much in the near term, keeping rates higher than many expected and possibly disappointing investors, unless inflation drops sharply or the job weakens unexpectedly.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
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Rain that gets through cracks in the pavement softens the soil beneath, causing more deformation under traffic loading and leading to more cracking, according to Jonathan Stewart, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Straddling formalwear codes and casualwear, Jang softens traditional silhouettes via unexpected fabric pairings, texture contrast, and use of hybrid materials.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The California Association of Realtors also predicts that, as economic uncertainty fades and rates begin to decline more steadily, the housing market should improve throughout 2026.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Humans have been chewing gum for thousands of years, long after the flavor fades and without any clear nutritional benefit.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats have pointed to these facts as evidence that the map dilutes the voting power of minorities and may even be an intentional racial gerrymander.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The decision notably makes no ruling on the constitutionality of the redistricting, leaving the question unresolved as to whether the new map unfairly dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Queen of minimalism, Janet has essentially just set type in panels—but the way the background sags like a deflating hot-air balloon, with the type recessed into it, is so wry and brilliant.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Lack of income is a contagion that infects self-worth, confidence and the ability to be present in life.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The state’s latest energy plan fails to recognize and remedy this and portends a bleak, costly energy future, not to mention more pollution and higher health care costs.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Holly added that any topic related to her wedding never fails to bring tears to her father's eyes.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Barnes’ defection further thins a group of linebackers that is losing three key contributors from 2025 in Trey Moore, Liona Lefau and Anthony Hill Jr.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Another prospect is that not all of the cuts materialize — say, the trash fee repeal doesn’t happen — or the field of tax increases thins out, making those that remain more palatable to voters.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This first three-dimensional cross-sectional image goes 11 miles) below the crater and shows what appear to be various pools of magma at different depths, with rock or other material between them and more numerous toward the southeast of the crater.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
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The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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