WordLens

weaken

1 of 1verb
/ˈwikən/
Forms:weakens,weakening,weakened,weakened
1

to make something physically or structurally less strong or sturdy

transitive
  • Exposure to harsh weather conditions can weaken the structure of outdoor furniture.
  • Continuous use without proper maintenance may weaken the integrity of machinery.
  • Ignoring warning signs of deterioration can weaken the foundation of a building.
  • Prolonged stress can weaken the strength of materials over time.
  • The repetitive bending of a metal object may weaken it and lead to breakage.
Antonyms:
strengthen
2

to lose strength or vitality

  • Over time, the rope began to weaken, fraying at the edges and becoming less reliable.
  • Without proper maintenance, the structure gradually weakened, leading to concerns about its structural integrity.
  • The storm intensified, causing the levees to weaken under the pressure of rising floodwaters.
  • As the illness progressed, her body started to weaken, making it difficult for her to perform daily tasks.
Antonyms:
strengthen
3

to lessen the strength, intensity, size, or extent of something

transitive
  • The company decided to weaken its marketing campaign due to budget constraints.
  • The medication weakened the severity of her symptoms, providing relief from the discomfort of the illness.
  • The scandal weakened public trust in the government, resulting in calls for transparency and accountability.
  • The negotiations weakened the terms of the contract, with both parties compromising on certain clauses.
  • The amendment weakened the impact of the legislation, introducing exemptions and loopholes.
Synonyms:
step downde-escalate
Antonyms:
escalate
4

to diminish or decline in strength or intensity

  • As the hurricane moved inland, its winds began to weaken.
  • The river's current weakened after several days of dry weather.
  • The storm's intensity weakened as it moved further out to sea.
  • After reaching its peak intensity, the heatwave gradually weakened, bringing relief to sweltering communities.
Synonyms:
dampbreaksoftendampen
5

to become less resolved or determined

C1
  • Despite her initial enthusiasm, her resolve began to weaken as the challenges of the project became apparent.
  • He vowed to quit smoking, but his resolve weakened when he faced stressful situations.
  • As the weeks passed without progress, their determination to find a solution gradually weakened.
  • The athlete's resolve never weakened, even in the face of setbacks and injuries.
  • Despite his initial determination to finish the marathon, his resolve weakened as fatigue set in.