Definition of WEAKEN

weaken

Verb

Verb Forms: weakened, weakening, weakens

  • To make or become less strong or effective.
  • lessen the strength of
    • "The fever weakened his body"
  • become weaker
    • "The prisoner's resistance weakened after seven days"
  • destroy property or hinder normal operations
  • reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
  • lessen in force or effect
  • To make weaker or less strong.
  • To become weaker or less strong.

Examples

  • A series of poor plays began to weaken his lead in the Words With Friends game.
  • Over the years my enthusiasm for the job has weakened.
  • weaken a bond
  • weaken a joint

Origin / Etymology

From weak + -en.

Synonyms

break, counteract, countermine, damp, dampen, de-escalate, sabotage, soften, step down, subvert, undermine, dilute

Antonyms

escalate, strengthen

Scrabble Score: 13

weaken: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
weaken: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
weaken: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

weaken: valid Words With Friends Word