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Synonym Chooser

How is the word weaken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weaken are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, and undermine. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

When would cripple be a good substitute for weaken?

While in some cases nearly identical to weaken, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

Where would debilitate be a reasonable alternative to weaken?

The words debilitate and weaken can be used in similar contexts, but debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could disable be used to replace weaken?

While the synonyms disable and weaken are close in meaning, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than weaken?

The synonyms enfeeble and weaken are sometimes interchangeable, but enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of weaken?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weaken Little was spared in financial markets as fear flared about the potentially toxic mix of weakening economic growth and higher inflation that tariffs can create. Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025 Image Wall Street shuddered in response, with early market reaction pointing to a further slide in the stock market and a weakening dollar. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 The furniture retailer weakened about 12% on the back of higher U.S. tariffs on goods from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025 Altering the Brain The researchers found that diabetes weakens the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)—a key part of the brain. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • The formula is infused with Japanese Green Tea and Aloe Vera to soften, hydrate and smooth your skin while acting as an invisible shield to prevent melting, fading and creasing.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That eventually softened because of the relationships that grew over the 10 years that Cristina was on television.
    Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Third to Journalism in the recent San Felipe Stakes — the race that more or less made Journalism a candidate Derby horse and that saw Rodriguez fade to show — Rodriguez currently clings to step No. 30 on the Derby points ladder, with 21-plus points.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The Federal Railway Safety Act But Cassity and other union leaders remain concerned that little requires railroads like Norfolk Southern to maintain these protocols once the headlines of East Palestine fade away.
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During 2024 short squeeze dynamics drove the price much higher, which allowed the company to issue shares, diluting common shareholders by approximately 15% and raising the company over $3.4 Billion in cash.
    Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The rest of its ingredients make up a veritable bouquet of vegetables: Carrots, celery, cabbage, onion, parsley, and turnip are diluted and mixed with the caramel color to make a shelf-stable seasoning condiment that boosts a wide variety of dishes.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • One person was injured and transported to Shock Trauma, fire officials said.
    Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Two people were killed and five injured in strikes in Kherson overnight, regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said Thursday.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For example, sagging — most associated with poorly supportive bras — is not an ailment, but rather a natural aging phenomenon.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The thing feels darn near bulletproof, and the cushions never sag or get lumpy.
    Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Tennessee Department of Health said on Friday that a resident in Middle Tennessee tested positive after being infected in early March and is currently recovering at home.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
  • When Trump left office, over 24 million Americans were infected with COVID-19, and 402,269 Americans died during his four-year term, according to Johns Hopkins University.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Declining vaccination rates are leaving communities vulnerable to the spread of debilitating, preventable diseases like measles.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In a previous attempt to lose weight, the comedian experienced debilitating side effects while using Ozempic for weight-loss purposes.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Aim for Outsized Returns Given that most innovation initiatives will fail, the successful projects must generate returns that justify the overall investment.
    Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In 2023, British millionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit launched a flight over the Atlantic Ocean that reached space but failed to attain orbit, and the company folded a few months later.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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