1
as in softens
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fades
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 dilutes
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakens
Expanding nonmedical exemptions, however, weakens the very protections those medically vulnerable children depend on.
—
Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Removing more forces from the field only weakens general public safely.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
After the Justice Department said a post-Watergate records law is unconstitutional, White House lawyers established a new policy that experts say weakens safeguards.
—Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Caused by intense emotional events, TTS is a rare, temporary condition that weakens the left ventricle and disrupts its normal pumping function.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The exit of thousands of DOJ lawyers weakens law enforcement for many years to come, former DOJ lawyers told USA TODAY.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Removing more forces from the field only weakens general public safely.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
After the Justice Department said a post-Watergate records law is unconstitutional, White House lawyers established a new policy that experts say weakens safeguards.
—Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Caused by intense emotional events, TTS is a rare, temporary condition that weakens the left ventricle and disrupts its normal pumping function.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The exit of thousands of DOJ lawyers weakens law enforcement for many years to come, former DOJ lawyers told USA TODAY.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
-
The formula softens skin, making this Philosophy bath gel a luxurious shower experience.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It's become the default mode of governing for majorities in Congress as bipartisanship on major issues fades away.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Come evening, the pizza oven glows or a local farm-to-table chef cooks as the light fades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Perez said branches are leaving the union because of high turnover in retail banking, which dilutes the original union-supporting staff and allows the company to re-educate new hires with anti-union talking points.—
Chase Jordan
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But as the Universe keeps on expanding, the spatial curvature still dilutes, the same way that a small Pringles chip has a greater amount of curvature than a large horse’s saddle.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The roof flakes, the porch sags.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Their constant companion in the campaign is the Amazona 180 bag that made its debut on the Loewe runway last October, a slouchy, one-handle style that sags open when left unzipped.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When folding goes wrong, the protein often fails.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That’s led to questions about whether the California billionaire activism would continue if Mahan’s governor bid fails and the wealth tax passes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, the canopy thins, the leaves crinkle, and the tree slowly dies.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Away goes the space normally occupied by pickup trucks and Weber grills.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
-
From then on, the storytelling goes slack and perfunctory as sharks swarm and chomp on passengers and crew clinging for dear lives on rafts or slabs of plane wreckage.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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