WordGarden.ioweaken
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈiːkən/
US
- /ˈwikən/
Meanings
Verb
to make or become less strong, forceful, effective, or intense
to make someone or something physically less strong or resilient
Beyond the definition
Just like a muscle gets less strong after an injury, the word "weaken" describes something losing strength or becoming less effective. A long illness can weaken your body, making it harder to fight off infection. But "weaken" is not just about physical strength. New evidence might weaken a suspect's story by making it less believable. Repeated problems can also weaken a person's confidence or sense of purpose. Think of it as something losing power, force, or effect over time.
To weaken means to make something less strong, effective, or intense. It can apply to physical strength, like when an illness weakens your immune system ("The flu weakened her so much she had trouble getting out of bed"). But "weaken" goes far beyond just the body.
It's often used figuratively to describe a loss of power in arguments, beliefs, or relationships. For example: "His testimony weakened the prosecution's case," meaning it made their argument less convincing. Or, "Years of neglect had weakened the foundation of the old house."
"Weaken" can also suggest a gradual decline. A prolonged drought might weaken crops, leading to a poor harvest. Similarly, constant criticism can weaken someone's self-confidence over time. You can weaken an opponent in a game by tiring them out or exploiting their weaknesses.
The word implies a reduction in force, influence, or vitality—something that was once strong is now becoming fragile or less capable. It's about diminishing power, whether it's physical, emotional, or logical. So if something is losing its grip, crumbling under pressure, or simply fading away, you can say it's weakening.
Examples
- 1
Weather
The storm weakened before it reached the coast.
- 2
Physical damage
Years of moisture had weakened the wooden floor.
- 3
Illness
His illness had weakened him so much that he could barely stand.
- 4
Child confidence
Constant criticism can weaken a child's confidence.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal argument
The new evidence weakened the company's argument in court.
- Patternweaken an argument
make it less convincing
- 6
Public support
The scandal quickly weakened public support for the president.
- 7
Economy
Higher oil prices could weaken the economy over the next few months.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- weakenverb
Forms
- weakenedpast tenseverb
- weakening-ing formverb
- weakensverb