attenuates

Reduces in strength

Attenuates means reduces in force, intensity, or thickness.

A signal attenuates as it travels through a cable.

Sunscreen attenuates UV radiation.

The word often appears in technical contexts—physics, medicine, engineering—but extends to anything gradually weakened or thinned: Distance attenuates even the strongest connections.

The opposite is amplify.

diminishes

lessen

Reduce in degree

diminish · dwindle · decline · subside · wane · ebb · taper · abate · recede · shrink

technical

signal

Message-conveying cue

fiber optic · decibel · amplitude · wavelength · electromagnetic · ultrasound · X-ray · filter · resistor · capacitor

dampens

muffle

Deaden or suppress sound

buffer · suppress · soften · insulate · cushion · dull · blunt · soundproof · acoustic · silencer

weakens

dilute

Reduce by adding solvent

disperse · diffuse · dissipate · scatter · spread · stretch · extend · elongate · draw out · sparse

Opposites
intensity/strength

attenuatesamplifies

Increases strength or volume

intensifies · strengthens · increases · magnifies · heightens

physical thickness/substance

attenuatesthickens

Becomes less fluid

concentrates · condenses · densifies · coagulates · solidifies

size/volume/thickness

attenuatesthickens

Becomes less fluid

expands · enlarges · swells · broadens · fattens

Phrases
Family

attenuated, attenuate, attenuation, attenuating, attenuator

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G