weaken
WEE-kuhn
Weaken (verb) means to make something less strong. Example: “Years of neglect had weakened the foundation.”
verb
1
To make something less strong.
"Years of neglect had weakened the foundation."
"The scandal weakened his position within the party."
2
To become less strong.
"Her resolve weakened as the deadline approached."
How to use weaken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make or become weaker.
Common pairings
weaken resistance
weaken the economy
weaken over time
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- weakens
- Past tense
- weakened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of neglect had _____ the foundation.
Etymology
Formed from "weak" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," the same pattern as "strengthen" or "sharpen."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for weaken
See all rhymes for 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.
