wea
ken
Third Person
weakens
Present Participle
weakening
Past Tense
weakened
Past Participle
weakened
1
to make something physically or structurally less strong or sturdy
transitive
- Exposure to harsh weather conditions can weaken the structure of outdoor furniture.
- Continuous use without proper maintenance may weaken the integrity of machinery.
- Ignoring warning signs of deterioration can weaken the foundation of a building.
- Prolonged stress can weaken the strength of materials over time.
- The repetitive bending of a metal object may weaken it and lead to breakage.
Antonyms:
2
to lose strength or vitality
- Over time, the rope began to weaken, fraying at the edges and becoming less reliable.
- Without proper maintenance, the structure gradually weakened, leading to concerns about its structural integrity.
- The storm intensified, causing the levees to weaken under the pressure of rising floodwaters.
- As the illness progressed, her body started to weaken, making it difficult for her to perform daily tasks.
Antonyms:
3
to lessen the strength, intensity, size, or extent of something
transitive
- The company decided to weaken its marketing campaign due to budget constraints.
- The medication weakened the severity of her symptoms, providing relief from the discomfort of the illness.
- The scandal weakened public trust in the government, resulting in calls for transparency and accountability.
- The negotiations weakened the terms of the contract, with both parties compromising on certain clauses.
- The amendment weakened the impact of the legislation, introducing exemptions and loopholes.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
4
to diminish or decline in strength or intensity
- As the hurricane moved inland, its winds began to weaken.
- The river's current weakened after several days of dry weather.
- The storm's intensity weakened as it moved further out to sea.
- After reaching its peak intensity, the heatwave gradually weakened, bringing relief to sweltering communities.
5
to become less resolved or determined
- Despite her initial enthusiasm, her resolve began to weaken as the challenges of the project became apparent.
- He vowed to quit smoking, but his resolve weakened when he faced stressful situations.
- As the weeks passed without progress, their determination to find a solution gradually weakened.
- The athlete's resolve never weakened, even in the face of setbacks and injuries.
- Despite his initial determination to finish the marathon, his resolve weakened as fatigue set in.