weaken
[verb]
Synonyms:
- lessen, diminish, dwindle, fade, flag, lower, moderate, reduce, sap, undermine, wane
- dilute, thin out, water down

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Antonyms: strengthen
Contrasted words: better, improve, activate, energize, invigorate, vitalize
Related Words: emasculate, enervate, incapacitate, unman, unnerve, damage, impair, injure, lessen, minimize, reduce, dilute, thin

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

weak‧en /ˈwiːkən/ verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: weakling, weakness; verb: weaken; adverb: weakly; adjective: weak]

1. to make someone or something less powerful or less important, or to become less powerful Antonym : strengthen:
Over the last two years the president’s position has weakened.
Changes in policy have weakened the power of the trade unions.
The absence of this witness has weakened the case against the accused.

2. to make someone lose their physical strength, or to become physically weak:
Julia was weakened by her long illness.

3. to make someone less determined, or to become less determined:
Such policies weaken the resolve of potential troublemakers.
When she begged him to let her stay, he weakened.

4. to make a building, structure etc less strong, or to become less strong:
The earthquake in Cairo weakened a number of structures.

5. if a particular country’s money or a company’s share prices weaken, or if they are weakened, their value is reduced
weaken against
The pound has weakened against the dollar.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

weaken
verb
ADV. considerably, greatly, seriously, severely, significantly, substantially | fatally The regime was fatally weakened by the unrest and violence.
further | slightly, somewhat | gradually, progressively Central authority has been progressively weakened since the outbreak of the civil war.
permanently
VERB + WEAKEN begin to | serve to The division of Germany had served to weaken the party.
tend to | be designed to an unusual move designed to weaken the rebels

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲