Weaken Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ช
weaken
[หwiหkษn ]
Definition
to make or become weaker
To weaken means to become less strong or powerful, or to make someone or something less strong or powerful. This can happen physically, emotionally, or mentally. Weakening can occur gradually over time or suddenly due to a specific event.
Synonyms
decrease, diminish, lessen, soften, undermine.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| weaken |
Used when making something less strong or less intense, often in a broad sense.
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| diminish |
Used when something becomes smaller or less important; often gradual and perceptible.
|
| lessen |
Used to make something smaller or less severe, often in terms of impact or intensity.
|
| decrease |
Often used when talking about numbers, quantities, or rates going down.
|
| soften |
Used for making something less hard, more gentle, or less harsh, both literally and figuratively.
|
| undermine |
Often used in a negative sense to describe weakening something or someone gradually and secretly.
|
Examples of usage
- The constant stress weakened her immune system.
- Excessive rainfall weakened the foundation of the building.
- The opposition party's arguments weakened the government's position.
- His resolve began to weaken as the situation grew more challenging.
- The harsh criticism weakened her self-confidence.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- When someone feels emotionally weak, it can be linked to stress or anxiety, affecting their overall mental health.
- Negative experiences can weaken a person's resilience, making it more challenging to cope with future difficulties.
Science
- In chemistry, substances can weaken bonds between molecules, affecting how they interact in reactions.
- Physical forces, like erosion, weaken structures over time, impacting landscapes and human-made constructions.
Literature
- Many stories depict the theme of characters weakened by their faults or circumstances, showing personal struggles.
- In poetry, the act of weakening can symbolize vulnerability or fragility, often used to evoke empathy from readers.
Pop Culture
- Songs and movies frequently explore themes of personal weakness, often portraying characters who must overcome their limitations.
- In sports, a team's performance can weaken if key players are injured, affecting the strategy and outcome of games.
Origin of 'weaken'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'weaken' comes from the Old English 'wวฃcan,' which means to make weak or less strong.
- In Middle English, 'weaken' was spelled as 'weaknen', showing how the word evolved over time.
The word 'weaken' has its origins in the Old English word 'wacnian', which meant 'to grow weak'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form and usage in Modern English. The concept of weakening has been a part of human experience throughout history, as individuals and societies have faced challenges that test their strength and resilience.
See also: weak, weakened, weakening, weaker, weakling, weakly, weakness, weaknesses.