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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 During his first term, Trump directed the Environmental Protection Agency to weaken emissions standards that were put in place by the Obama administration. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Jan. 2025 The offshore Chinese yuan initially strengthened, before weakening to trade at 7.2796 against the greenback. Darla Mercado, Cfp®,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025 These divisive tactics weaken our economy and corrode the moral fiber of our nation. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 The widening yield differentials between Chinese and U.S. sovereign bonds could risk encouraging capital outflows and put further pressure on the yuan that has been weakening against the greenback. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for weaken 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • In people who give birth, this joint softens and becomes extra flexible.
    Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Alcohol softened the blow of a loss and got players opening up to each other about the game.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Sunlight had begun to fade, casting a shadow on the space.
    Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Naturally derived essential oils are difficult to stabilize and can fade or change over time, giving your perfume a shorter shelf life from the first spray to the last.
    Sable Yong, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • There will always be the influencers and celebrities, dressed head-to-toe by brands, somewhat diluting the street-style impact, but this season the main takeaway was wearable, relatable clothes.
    Alex Badia, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Or, dilute the liquid with water at a 1:100 ratio (2½ tablespoons of bokashi tea per 1 gallon of water) to make a liquid organic plant fertilizer.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Detectives arrested a suspect associated with a stabbing that killed a woman and left a man seriously injured in west Roseville on Saturday, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
    Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In 2009, the Saints offered their players cash incentives to injure certain players.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Among a handful of transfers ticketed to offer immediate help, Marshall may provide a jolt on defense and to the Huskers’ sagging special teams.
    Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The new code of conduct, announced to stores Monday, is part of CEO Brian Niccol’s strategy to lure back customers, boost sagging sales and improve worker relations.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • More alarmingly, the virus has begun to infect humans, with the U.S. reporting 67 cases and its first human death on January 6.
    Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Seek medical care right away if your baby’s acne appears infected.
    Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Now that both areas have been debilitated, Sims hopes that the industry finds a new way forward.
    Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Proust’s insomnia, though debilitating, was made, in classic wound-and-bow terms, into the engine of his art.
    Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the group failed to anticipate how the conflict might end.
    Erika Solomon, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • TikTok's last-ditch legal challenge failed on Friday, when the Supreme Court said the law does not violate the First Amendment.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near weaken

Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on weaken

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