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
That inconsistency weakens the institution, erodes public trust, and leaves voters increasingly frustrated with both parties.
—
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The anti-diversity law weakens community expression.
—Jon Harris Maurer, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Not having to push the body against the resistance of gravity, the heart shrinks, weakens and even changes its shape, becoming more circular.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 3 May 2026
His unmistakable advice was to use the fact that Black voters tend to vote Democratic to defend drawing a map that severely weakens Black voting power, by framing the districting as having a partisan—rather than a racial—purpose.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
Zelenskyy spoke out against Vance's comments, arguing that the decision to pause military aid only benefits Russia and weakens the United States.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Illinois Democrats, in the state and on Capitol Hill, resoundingly decried the Supreme Court's decision Wednesday that significantly weakens the Voting Rights Act.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Strength in one pillar supports the others; neglect in one weakens all three.
—William Jones, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The anti-diversity law weakens community expression.
—Jon Harris Maurer, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Not having to push the body against the resistance of gravity, the heart shrinks, weakens and even changes its shape, becoming more circular.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 3 May 2026
His unmistakable advice was to use the fact that Black voters tend to vote Democratic to defend drawing a map that severely weakens Black voting power, by framing the districting as having a partisan—rather than a racial—purpose.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
Zelenskyy spoke out against Vance's comments, arguing that the decision to pause military aid only benefits Russia and weakens the United States.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Illinois Democrats, in the state and on Capitol Hill, resoundingly decried the Supreme Court's decision Wednesday that significantly weakens the Voting Rights Act.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Strength in one pillar supports the others; neglect in one weakens all three.
—William Jones, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
-
The formula softens skin, making this Philosophy bath gel a luxurious shower experience.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As his memory fades, Caroline must navigate the unimaginable.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
However, as the smell fades over time, so will its effectiveness in warding off mice.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Breaking from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and creating a new County department should not mean building another costly layer of bureaucracy that dilutes resources meant for people in crisis.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Now, Perez said branches are leaving the union because of high turnover in retail banking, which dilutes the original union-supporting staff and allows the company to re-educate new hires with anti-union talking points.—
Chase Jordan
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The roof flakes, the porch sags.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Their constant companion in the campaign is the Amazona 180 bag that made its debut on the Loewe runway last October, a slouchy, one-handle style that sags open when left unzipped.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Conversely, state governors have the same ability when the federal government fails to perform their duties, under the Ninth and Tenth amendments.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
If the core players are anything other than spectacular, the team fails.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In a traditional Japanese handle, a wa-style handle, the tang thins out into a strip of metal that’s completely buried in a cylindrical or octagonal wood handle.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Away goes the space normally occupied by pickup trucks and Weber grills.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
-
From then on, the storytelling goes slack and perfunctory as sharks swarm and chomp on passengers and crew clinging for dear lives on rafts or slabs of plane wreckage.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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