as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the all-too-apparent weakening of our grandfather was hard on our mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in softening
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in diluting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakening
Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Moscow has been trying to hang onto its military assets in Syria but since Assad's overthrow, Russian assets have departed, weakening Russia's presence in the region.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Further, America’s adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are collaborating more closely than ever in an axis of autocrats which enable them to combine strengths in their collective goal of weakening the United States.
—Michael Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The crusade against inclusionary hiring practices and policies is being promoted by incoming GOP lawmakers who claim the effort is weakening the strength of federal defense agencies.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
The administration has suggested that holding bitcoin could hedge against inflation and a weakening dollar.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In December the agency concluded that there was a risk that the takeover of the iconic American company could pose a national security threat by potentially weakening the country's industry and shrinking its steel production.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
As kidney function worsens, phosphorus builds up in the blood, weakening the bones.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Moscow has been trying to hang onto its military assets in Syria but since Assad's overthrow, Russian assets have departed, weakening Russia's presence in the region.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Further, America’s adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are collaborating more closely than ever in an axis of autocrats which enable them to combine strengths in their collective goal of weakening the United States.
—Michael Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The crusade against inclusionary hiring practices and policies is being promoted by incoming GOP lawmakers who claim the effort is weakening the strength of federal defense agencies.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
The administration has suggested that holding bitcoin could hedge against inflation and a weakening dollar.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
In December the agency concluded that there was a risk that the takeover of the iconic American company could pose a national security threat by potentially weakening the country's industry and shrinking its steel production.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
As kidney function worsens, phosphorus builds up in the blood, weakening the bones.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
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Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.—
Ydanis Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Its intensely moisturizing formula features amino acids that make up the protein keratin (which is key for maintaining your hair’s structure and strength) and hair-softening plant extracts.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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At least in the short run, this diluting might potentially have negative effects on the price per share as the market adjusts to the extra shares.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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Businesses should ensure their monitoring strategies address both objectives where relevant, without diluting the specific focus of fraud prevention tools.—
Einaras von Gravrock,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What has to continue during the homestand that continues Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls, Adebayo said, is an ongoing reduction in the types of mistakes that have been so debilitating in recent losses.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
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Riz Ahmed co-wrote and stars in the lauded drama, which tells the story of Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper on the verge of his big break when he is suddenly struck by a debilitating autoimmune disease.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a photo Estrada used to announce a reward for his capture, Wedding had long, stringy hair that seemed to be thinning, steely blue eyes, and a beard.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2025
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The women’s nutraceutical, shown here, comprises of minerals, vitamins, and other natural ingredients designed to tackle hair thinning in women aged 18 to 44.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Given the constant demands by wind, solar, and EV company executives for more and more government subsidies to sustain their failing business models, this reality could become disastrous for those rent-seeking industries in the coming years as the era of crony capitalism comes to a close.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
But failing to advance beyond the wild-card round (not to mention losing in infamous or controversial fashion) isn’t what fans had in mind when the front office spoke about building a sustainable contender years ago.—
Kaitlyn McGrath,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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About one year after infecting a human host, the Guinea worm creates a blister on the skin and emerges from it, which can cause burning pain, fever and swelling, according to the CDC and the World Health Organization.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
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The same Montana lab that tried infecting imitation human brain tissue with CWD published a paper that maps the bottom of the CWD prion.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Erosion of trust within the GOP ranks is seen as injurious for the Speaker, whose legislative and political headaches are piling up, The Hill reports.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The charges include recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and violating the social host ordinance.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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