weaken
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for weaken, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something less strong.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use weaken
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
weaken resistance
weaken the economy
weaken over time
Etymology
Formed from "weak" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," the same pattern as "strengthen" or "sharpen."
Full origin of weaken →Frequently asked questions
What does “weaken” mean?
The word “weaken” means to make something less strong. In plain terms, to make or become weaker.
How do you pronounce “weaken”?
“Weaken” is pronounced WEE-kuhn (/ˈwikən/ in IPA).
How do you use “weaken” in a sentence?
Here is “weaken” used in a sentence: “Years of neglect had weakened the foundation.”
What is another word for “weaken”?
Words with a similar meaning to “weaken” include attenuate, blunt, break down, dilute, enfeeble and hebetate.
What part of speech is “weaken”?
“Weaken” is a verb.
Is “weaken” a common word?
“Weaken” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “weaken” have?
“Weaken” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something less strong.
