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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakening
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 May 2026
But the weakening of that regime weakens the proxies as well.
—CBS News, 10 May 2026
Environmental groups have warned that weakening protections could further endanger a species already on the brink.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Speaking in Russia’s State Duma (parliament) last week, Zyuganov warned the country could face a Bolshevik-style revolution if the government fails to address the weakening economy.
—Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
It is anticipated that supervisors will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of voters, by pretending this measure is a new implementation of term limits instead of a weakening of term limits.
—John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, under his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The divergence between the stock market and weakening consumer sentiment is especially worrisome given that the two measures usually move more in sync.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Scientists at the University of Washington discovered highways within the fault that transport migrating fluid, which facilitates further weakening and stress on the fault, according to a paper published earlier this year in Science.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 May 2026
The new law marks a significant rewrite, and weakening, of the initial AI regulations signed into law two years ago.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
No ‘victory image’ for Tehran Ruhe similarly argued that Israel wants to avoid any agreement that restores legitimacy to the Iranian regime without fundamentally weakening it.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Forecasters say geomagnetic activity is gradually weakening, but lingering disturbances in Earth's magnetic field could still spark visible displays overnight, particularly in northern regions.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
And a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act sparks a scramble in some Southern states to get in on redistricting before the midterm elections.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
Noun
These concerns have led to the weakening of the rupee against the dollar, sending it to record lows in recent days.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 May 2026
But the weakening of that regime weakens the proxies as well.
—CBS News, 10 May 2026
Environmental groups have warned that weakening protections could further endanger a species already on the brink.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Speaking in Russia’s State Duma (parliament) last week, Zyuganov warned the country could face a Bolshevik-style revolution if the government fails to address the weakening economy.
—Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
It is anticipated that supervisors will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of voters, by pretending this measure is a new implementation of term limits instead of a weakening of term limits.
—John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, under his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
That separation is now weakening.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The divergence between the stock market and weakening consumer sentiment is especially worrisome given that the two measures usually move more in sync.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Scientists at the University of Washington discovered highways within the fault that transport migrating fluid, which facilitates further weakening and stress on the fault, according to a paper published earlier this year in Science.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 May 2026
The new law marks a significant rewrite, and weakening, of the initial AI regulations signed into law two years ago.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
No ‘victory image’ for Tehran Ruhe similarly argued that Israel wants to avoid any agreement that restores legitimacy to the Iranian regime without fundamentally weakening it.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Forecasters say geomagnetic activity is gradually weakening, but lingering disturbances in Earth's magnetic field could still spark visible displays overnight, particularly in northern regions.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
And a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act sparks a scramble in some Southern states to get in on redistricting before the midterm elections.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
-
Prolonged vacancy has caused structural deterioration and the historic Centennial Hill neighborhood surrounding it faces pressure from development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Long vacant, the building suffers from structural deterioration.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Asch recommends finding a driver-friendly activity to make time on the road feel less draining, such as listening to an audiobook or podcast.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That gap between the imagined object and the real one sharpened the launch rather than softening it.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
And in many quarters, the tone is softening.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
By now, however, that view is fading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Taj Mahal kept fading and ultimately finished 10th.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The court lifted a ruling that had blocked state Republicans' preferred map as racially discriminatory and for illegally diluting the voting power of Black Alabamians.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
By launching a version of the Royal Oak to the general public and transforming it into a playful, versatile pop culture object, the brand is taking a risky step toward diluting its own equity.—
Clara Ludmir,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the third, and most debilitating, patients withdraw from the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Cobain had struggled for years with depression, substance abuse issues and a debilitating, unexplained stomach ailment.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The new pistachio cheesecake began popping up in Costco bakery sections nationwide a few weeks ago, and customers online are wasting no time sharing the exciting news across social media.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
-
This is just one of many instances of the DOJ wasting taxpayer dollars on political posturing.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The cushions will stay bouncy thanks to sinuous springs that prevent sagging over time.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
This is infused in extra-large toner pads for deep firming hydration to refine pores, smooth texture, and visibly lift sagging skin all in one gentle swipe.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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