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

Years passed, and Boakye watched as both his former partner and many of his friends died of complications from HIV, which infiltrates immune cells and weakens the body’s defenses. — Diana Kwon, Vox, 11 Nov. 2026

Losing research capacity weakens our ability to generate the next sources of economic growth. — Carole Labonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Losing out on experienced staff weakens the Council’s ability to serve New Yorkers. — Natalie Meltzer, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026

New bookings require heavy discounting or services work, net revenue retention weakens and senior executives leave. — Ivan Nikkhoo, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

El Niño is a tropical Pacific climate pattern that weakens trade winds, shifts jet streams, and can increase the risk of flooding, droughts, and wildfires. — Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026

And perhaps most importantly, gerrymandering weakens accountability. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026

The process weakens collagen and elastin and contributes to fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026

This molten salt weakens the coating on the silicon panel, allowing the silver wires to peel off intact as pure metal. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026