Weaken: meaning, definitions and examples

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weaken

[ˈwiːkən ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

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. The illness has weakened her immune system. The political turmoil has weakened the economy.
diminish	Used when something becomes smaller or less important; often gradual and perceptible. Her love for the hobby started to diminish over time. The new policy diminished employee morale.
lessen	Used to make something smaller or less severe, often in terms of impact or intensity. He took an aspirin to lessen the pain. They installed soundproof walls to lessen the noise.
decrease	Often used when talking about numbers, quantities, or rates going down. The company saw a decrease in profits this quarter. Experts predict a decrease in crime rates.
soften	Used for making something less hard, more gentle, or less harsh, both literally and figuratively. She used conditioner to soften her hair. He tried to soften his criticism to avoid offending her.
undermine	Often used in a negative sense to describe weakening something or someone gradually and secretly. His actions were intended to undermine her authority. The scandal really undermined public trust in the government.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'weaken' comes from the Old English 'wǣcan,' which means to make weak or less strong.
In Middle English, 'weaken' was spelled as 'weaknen', showing how the word evolved over time.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "weaken" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfraquecer

🇮🇳 कमज़ोर करना

🇩🇪 schwächen

🇮🇩 melemahkan

🇺🇦 ослабити

🇵🇱 osłabiać

🇯🇵 弱める

🇫🇷 affaiblir

🇪🇸 debilitar

🇹🇷 zayıflatmak

🇰🇷 약화시키다

🇸🇦 يضعف

🇨🇿 oslabit

🇸🇰 oslabiť

🇨🇳 削弱

🇸🇮 oslabiti

🇮🇸 veikja

🇰🇿 әлсірету

🇬🇪 სუსტება

🇦🇿 zəiflətmək

🇲🇽 debilitar

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,922 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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9919 softened
9920 bait
9921 arched
9922 weaken
9923 longitude
9924 beheld
9925 socket
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