as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the all-too-apparent weakening of our grandfather was hard on our mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in softening
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
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 diluting
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
as in draining
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakening
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images China's consumer prices fell more than expected in August while deflation in wholesale prices persisted, as calls mounted for Beijing to ramp up measures to bolster sluggish domestic demand and cushion weakening exports growth.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
However, hydrogen comes with problems in weakening metals, causing unexpected cracks and failures.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
In remarks earlier this month, Powell suggested the Fed could start cutting rates as soon as September after a ream of economic data showed the job market weakening.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell's recent speeches, and recent data indicating a weakening of the economy, suggest that the next move by the Fed will likely be to lower interest rates in September.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Fast weakening is expected to begin on Thursday, and Lorena could weaken back to a tropical storm by Friday.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, the labor market is displaying signs of weakening, which argues for lower rates.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Mike Winters, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Amodei’s comments come as recent data points to a labor market that is weakening quicker than expected.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Pressure on the Fed has increased in recent months, following signs of a weakening labour market.
—Gabe Whisnant
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Concerns about stubborn inflation have taken a back seat for now, though, to worries about a weakening job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
Other reports also suggest the jobs market is weakening.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The Federal Reserve is closely watching spending trends as policymakers debate a path for interest rate cuts — with the first trim expected Wednesday — but signs of a weakening labor market loom over the economy.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Investors expect a rate cut by the Fed at its next meeting in September, although that’s partially because of weakening job numbers.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Inflammation can cause vascular disease — the narrowing, weakening or even blockage of blood vessels — that can damage organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and of course the brain.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images China's consumer prices fell more than expected in August while deflation in wholesale prices persisted, as calls mounted for Beijing to ramp up measures to bolster sluggish domestic demand and cushion weakening exports growth.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
However, hydrogen comes with problems in weakening metals, causing unexpected cracks and failures.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
In remarks earlier this month, Powell suggested the Fed could start cutting rates as soon as September after a ream of economic data showed the job market weakening.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell's recent speeches, and recent data indicating a weakening of the economy, suggest that the next move by the Fed will likely be to lower interest rates in September.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Fast weakening is expected to begin on Thursday, and Lorena could weaken back to a tropical storm by Friday.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, the labor market is displaying signs of weakening, which argues for lower rates.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
But the central bank is now shifting focus to a weakening labor market, as job growth has slowed in recent months.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Amodei’s comments come as recent data points to a labor market that is weakening quicker than expected.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Pressure on the Fed has increased in recent months, following signs of a weakening labour market.
—Gabe Whisnant
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Concerns about stubborn inflation have taken a back seat for now, though, to worries about a weakening job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
Other reports also suggest the jobs market is weakening.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The Federal Reserve is closely watching spending trends as policymakers debate a path for interest rate cuts — with the first trim expected Wednesday — but signs of a weakening labor market loom over the economy.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Investors expect a rate cut by the Fed at its next meeting in September, although that’s partially because of weakening job numbers.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
-
Biglari was particularly critical of the company’s store-level deterioration.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
-
While StubHub stock could rise at the IPO – especially if the offering is oversubscribed – consumer backlash, regulatory pressure, competitive threats, and profitability deterioration make $STUB particularly risky.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cessna said the 6,756-yard course continues to evolve in subtle ways, softening certain parts for higher-handicap golfers, while ratcheting up the challenges elsewhere.—
Greg Mellen,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In 2025, even as the economy shows signs of softening, people are still traveling in droves.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But with its novelty fading and political scrutiny mounting, its long-term future in America is far from secure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Medrano’s editorial eye—born from her archive of Players magazines—lingers on sensuality’s softness without diluting its danger.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
16 Sep. 2025
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Some of the erosion of credibility, young American Jews across the country tell me, stems from those who insist all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, diluting the term's power.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
So although he was drafted last summer and made his professional debut this spring, the Blue Jays decided there was no reason to keep wasting his filth in games that don't count.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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The recent detection of citrus-wasting bacteria on a residential tree in San Clemente prompted a new quarantine order from the California Department of Food and Agriculture on Thursday.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The budget negotiations mark the latest step in the city’s financial crisis, which was caused in large part by sagging sales tax revenue and growing expenses.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Market breadth was soft, the median stock sagging a bit but still in for a decent week.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle takes it one step further, creating a paddle brush that’s delicate enough for thinning and damaged strands.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In addition, mid-level positions are vulnerable as organizations flatten, thinning middle management ranks.—
Ulrik Juul Christensen,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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