weakens
Makes less strong
Weakens means to make or become less strong.
Physical structures weaken under stress; resolve weakens under pressure; arguments weaken when challenged.
The disease had weakened him considerably.
Her confidence weakened as the interview progressed.
The word implies gradual diminishment rather than sudden collapse—a slow erosion of strength, power, or effectiveness.
Becomes smaller or weaker
- reducesMakes less in quantity
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
- decreasesGrows smaller in amount
- lowersDecreases or brings down
attenuates · dilutes · saps · drains · depletes · debilitates · enfeebles · undermines
Rubber wheel coverings
- exhaustsCompletely uses up
- drainsPipes removing wastewater
- sapsErodes vitality slowly
- wears outDegrades through friction
enervates · depletes · overtaxes · burns out · overworks · prostrates · spent · run-down
Becomes progressively worse
- corrodesDegrades through oxidation
- decaysDeteriorates over time
- erodesWears away gradually
- crumblesBreaks into fragments
disintegrates · wears · rots · degrades · atrophies · withers · sags · falters
Fails to decide
- faltersLoses steadiness or confidence
- hesitatesShows momentary indecision
- vacillatesFluctuates between positions
- relentsAbandons firm stance
capitulates · yields · surrenders · backs down · doubts · second-guesses · crumbles · caves
Causes gloom or lowers
- devaluesReduces perceived worth
- deflatesReleases air from
- contractsEnforceable written agreements
- shrinksDecreases in size
slumps · declines · stagnates · recedes · downturns · destabilizes · depreciates · tanks
Makes visible or known
- compromisesSettlements through mutual concession
- endangersPuts in peril
- threatensExpresses intent to harm
- destabilizesUndermines steadiness or equilibrium
unsettles · shakes · rattles · unnerves · jeopardizes · imperils
diminishes
Becomes smaller or weaker
lowers · attenuates · dilutes · saps · drains · depletes · debilitates · enfeebles · undermines · impairs
tires
Rubber wheel coverings
wears out · enervates · depletes · overtaxes · burns out · overworks · prostrates · spent · run-down · knocks out
deteriorates
Becomes progressively worse
crumbles · disintegrates · wears · rots · degrades · atrophies · withers · sags · falters · collapses
wavers
Fails to decide
- faltersLoses steadiness or confidence
- hesitatesShows momentary indecision
- vacillatesFluctuates between positions
relents · capitulates · yields · surrenders · backs down · doubts · second-guesses · crumbles · caves · folds
depresses
Causes gloom or lowers
shrinks · slumps · declines · stagnates · recedes · downturns · destabilizes · depreciates · tanks
exposes
Makes visible or known
- compromisesSettlements through mutual concession
- endangersPuts in peril
- threatensExpresses intent to harm
destabilizes · unsettles · shakes · rattles · unnerves · jeopardizes · imperils
weakensstrengthens
Increases force or durability
fortifies · empowers · reinforces · bolsters · toughens
weakensreinforces
Strengthens or supports further
strengthens · fortifies · solidifies · shores up · stabilizes
- weakest linkMost vulnerable component
- get weakerDecline in force
- weakened immune system
- weaker sexSexist term for females
- weaker in the kneesLess stable standing
- weakened strain
weaken, weakened, weakening, weaker, weakest, weakener, unweakened