Dictionary entry details
• WEAKEN (verb)
Meaning:
Lessen the strength of
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
The fever weakened his body
Hypernyms (to "weaken" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Cause:
weaken (become weaker)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "weaken"):
blunt (make less intense)
mollify; season; temper (make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate)
debilitate; drain; enfeeble (make weak)
enervate (weaken mentally or morally)
dampen (reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves))
negate; neutralise; neutralize; nullify (make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of)
castrate; emasculate (deprive of strength or vigor)
wash out (deplete of strength or vitality)
attenuate; rarefy (weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance))
cut; dilute; reduce; thin; thin out (lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture)
de-energise; de-energize (deprive of energy)
break (weaken or destroy in spirit or body)
devitalise; devitalize (sap of life or energy)
shake (undermine or cause to waver)
depress (lessen the activity or force of)
unbrace (remove a brace or braces from)
etiolate (make weak by stunting the growth or development of)
cripple; stultify (deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Antonym:
strengthen (make strong or stronger)
Meaning:
Become weaker
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
The prisoner's resistance weakened after seven days
Hypernyms (to "weaken" is one way to...):
decrease; diminish; fall; lessen (decrease in size, extent, or range)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "weaken"):
attenuate (become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude)
wilt (lose strength)
slack; slacken; slow; slow down; slow up (become slow or slower)
slacken (become looser or slack)
loose; loosen; relax (become loose or looser or less tight)
pall (lose strength or effectiveness; become or appear boring, insipid, or tiresome (to))
dull (make less lively or vigorous)
languish; pine away; waste (lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief)
blur; dim; slur (become vague or indistinct)
disappear; melt (become less intense and fade away gradually)
die down (become progressively weaker)
collapse (lose significance, effectiveness, or value)
fade; melt (become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly)
lessen; subside (wear off or die down)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Antonym:
strengthen (gain strength)
Meaning:
Destroy property or hinder normal operations
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
undermine; sabotage; countermine; subvert; weaken; counteract
Context example:
The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war
Hypernyms (to "weaken" is one way to...):
disobey (refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "weaken"):
derail (cause to run off the tracks)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
de-escalate; step down; weaken
Context example:
de-escalate a crisis
Hypernyms (to "weaken" is one way to...):
decrease; lessen; minify (make smaller)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Lessen in force or effect
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
soften; damp; weaken; dampen; break
Context examples:
soften a shock / break a fall
Hypernyms (to "weaken" is one way to...):
blunt; deaden (make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "weaken"):
deafen (make soundproof)
damp; dampen; deaden (make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
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