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

The use of noble language to describe a process that weakens constitutional guardrails only widens the disconnect between words and actions. — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026

The erosion of those countries’ industrial capacity ultimately weakens their ability to compete with and resist China economically, diplomatically, and militarily. — Bill Cassidy, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2026

His departure further weakens City's midfield, with Bernardo Silva having left for Real Madrid earlier this offseason. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

The ridge weakens slightly towards the end of the week, and there is just a slim 10% chance of showers by Friday. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

The argument that such a tax would prevent important economic activity weakens by the day. — Tibor Besedeš, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

Basil becomes leggy due to heat, low light, overfertilizing, or lack of pruning, which weakens its growth. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026

Invoking patient choice, the authors highlight the lack of scientific literature on older people, noting what research does exist has found the link between cholesterol and cardiovascular events weakens with age. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026