WEAKEN Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'weaken' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weaken are cripple , debilitate , disable , enfeeble , sap , and undermine . While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power. // a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Q: When would 'cripple' be a good substitute for 'weaken'?

While in some cases nearly identical to weaken , cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element. // crippled by arthritis

Q: Where would 'debilitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'weaken'?

The words debilitate and weaken can be used in similar contexts, but debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality. // the debilitating effects of surgery

Q: When could 'disable' be used to replace 'weaken'?

While the synonyms disable and weaken are close in meaning, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability. // disabled by an injury sustained at work

Q: When might 'enfeeble' be a better fit than 'weaken'?

The synonyms enfeeble and weaken are sometimes interchangeable, but enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness. // enfeebled by starvation

Q: How are the words 'undermine' and 'sap' related as synonyms of 'weaken'?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously. // a poor diet undermines your health // drugs had sapped his ability to think

weaken

verb

ˈwē-kən

Definition of weaken

as in to soften

to diminish the physical strength of weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fade

to lose bodily strength or vigor the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances weakened the juice with too much water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word weaken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weaken are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, and undermine. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

When would cripple be a good substitute for weaken?

While in some cases nearly identical to weaken, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

Where would debilitate be a reasonable alternative to weaken?

The words debilitate and weaken can be used in similar contexts, but debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could disable be used to replace weaken?

While the synonyms disable and weaken are close in meaning, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than weaken?

The synonyms enfeeble and weaken are sometimes interchangeable, but enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of weaken?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of weaken Those losses weaken the tax base and increase the need for foreign support. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Like many consumer companies, P&G has seen demand for its products weaken as shoppers have become more value-conscious. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 The provisions included in the legislation named for the late senator aimed to weaken Russia's ability to fund its war against Ukraine by cutting billions from its export revenue. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The eastern provinces, including Ituri, have experienced years of conflict that have weakened the public infrastructure, including the healthcare system. — Ananya Rupanagunta, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weaken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken

Verb

But on that score, too, Jackson tries to soften the caricature of the billionaire executive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Add the shallot to the skillet, along with the salt and black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, or until the shallot starts to soften.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of soften

Verb

Brown, though, didn't quite let perception fade away a couple of days later.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
The question now is whether shoppers counting every dollar will keep paying for products like cashmere-soft diapers once the novelty fades and if inflation keeps biting.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

The plan, earlier reported by Semafor, will allow the company to issue new stock — for acquisitions, to lure top AI talent, and to pay for chips — without diluting Mark Zuckerberg’s control.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Even where mold has been detected, brewing dilutes the concentration and lowers any health risk.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dilute

Verb

Also according to the emergency service, consecutive Russian strikes on a shopping center in Kharkiv injured four people late on Saturday, including three rescue workers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Patrick, who was injured when his cleats became tangled in TV cords, had to first seek redress through a grievance procedure before being able to pursue a lawsuit.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

Aside from obvious fixes like leaking ceilings and sagging floors, the layout, which was chopped up into a warren of tight quarters, needed a full gut to allow the space to breathe and gain more light.

— Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
The formula also has jojoba-seed extract, which is rich in vitamins to help soothe and tone, as well as turmeric root extract, which works to combat redness and discoloration that can come along with sagging.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sag

Verb

Left unchecked, the outbreak still threatens to kill livestock and wildlife, infect pets, and potentially even infect people.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Two infants who were infected with measles have died in Pennsylvania this year, both too young to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of infect

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weakened

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“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of weaken

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