1
as in to soften
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 to fade
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 to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weaken
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.
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Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
PepsiCo revealed in July plans to release products boosted with fiber or protein after changing consumer preferences weakened demand for its drinks and snacks.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Also on the calendar next week is the latest inflation data, made more important after Friday’s December jobs report showed the labor market, while weakening, remains stable enough that the Federal Reserve is likely to hold off on interest rate cuts for now.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The tip of the Lower Peninsula may also receive snow totals approaching a foot in localized areas before the storm weakens Sunday morning.
—Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
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Each of the eight luxurious scents is packed with softening coconut oil and shea butter.—
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Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb.—
Verb
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The California Association of Realtors also predicts that, as economic uncertainty fades and rates begin to decline more steadily, the housing market should improve throughout 2026.—
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As human activity and food waste returned, those differences appeared to fade in later generations.—
Verb
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Those sums would likely be diluted, given baseball teams carry 26 players and NBA teams carry up to 15, but money is still money.—
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Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.—
Verb
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When Dobbins was first injured, a source close to him said the best-case scenario for his return was if the Broncos made the Super Bowl.—
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Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.—
Verb
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The fragile skeleton of her ego threatened to snap under the pressure of the animal forces that pressed down on her consciousness, her narrative mind sagging and distended beneath pitiless and grandiose feeling.—
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Pre-festival enthusiasm sagged compared to the inaugural year.—
Verb
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Lack of income is a contagion that infects self-worth, confidence and the ability to be present in life.—
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Her son, Jett James East, had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.—
Verb
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The same guy who promised to keep us out of debilitating foreign conflicts has volunteered for the job of nation-building in a place about which the great majority of Americans know little and, until recently, cared less.—
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That can lead to uncomfortable and even debilitating symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue.—
Verb
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If the settlement failed to cover the amount owed, some funders went after the women for the remainder.—
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Owner Mark Davis has failed for years to find answers, and this time around, Tom Brady appears to be taking control of the rebuild.—
Cite this Entry
“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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