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
When the vortex weakens, that tight circle becomes wavier, akin to how a slow-moving river tends to meander in bends across the landscape, Swain says.
—
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
In contrast to conventional recycling, which weakens fibers and limits how they can be reused, Uplift360’s non-degenerative method produces material that can go straight back into high-performance supply chains.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Anything that weakens fibers can worsen pilling.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
But for women, bone density can become a real issue with age, as osteoporosis weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Shifting the pricing pressure to individuals fragments purchasing power and weakens collective negotiation.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
When the polar vortex weakens or is disrupted, the cold air can surge out.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In addition to improving relations with India, the deal also weakens China’s economy, as India has relied heavily on Chinese exports.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
The polar vortex, a ring of high-altitude winds, weakens, splits, or reverses as a result of this event, allowing frigid cold Arctic air to move southward into North America and Europe, according to the National Weather Service.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 5 Feb. 2026
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
In contrast to conventional recycling, which weakens fibers and limits how they can be reused, Uplift360’s non-degenerative method produces material that can go straight back into high-performance supply chains.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Anything that weakens fibers can worsen pilling.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
But for women, bone density can become a real issue with age, as osteoporosis weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Shifting the pricing pressure to individuals fragments purchasing power and weakens collective negotiation.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
When the polar vortex weakens or is disrupted, the cold air can surge out.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In addition to improving relations with India, the deal also weakens China’s economy, as India has relied heavily on Chinese exports.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
The polar vortex, a ring of high-altitude winds, weakens, splits, or reverses as a result of this event, allowing frigid cold Arctic air to move southward into North America and Europe, according to the National Weather Service.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
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There's also the option of reaching out to the utility companies to get on a budget plan that softens the blow.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The city softens, the breeze cools and conversation comes easy.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Finally, the nebula fades away and only a white dwarf is left behind.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
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City of London skyline with 20 Fenchurch Street, affectionately nicknamed the Walkie Talkie as light fades at dusk on 27th November 2025 in London, United Kingdom.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Emma Basch, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, agrees, expressing concern that tying self-care to allowance dilutes the concept and does not help kids internalize that caring for themselves is not a job they will ever be paid for, but a way of showing themselves respect and care.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
7 Feb. 2026
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The judge said one district dilutes the votes of Blacks and Latinos.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Queen of minimalism, Janet has essentially just set type in panels—but the way the background sags like a deflating hot-air balloon, with the type recessed into it, is so wry and brilliant.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases that were linked to modifiable risks, with many linked to viruses and bacteria like the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori (a common bacterium that infects the stomach lining).—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But if that process fails, Eddie Bauer shops in the US and Canada operated by the LLC could close, the company noted.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Civic life thins out because exhaustion replaces engagement.—
Christopher Bellingham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Just an hour later, the traffic thins and the road dissolves into the Agafay Desert.—
Fergus Scholes,
TheWeek,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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George built it in the early 18th century, the story goes, to accommodate his mistress, Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
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The legacy of the Luka Doncic trade goes way beyond sports.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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