weaken

verb

SayWEE-kuhn/ˈwikən/

Formsweakens, weakening, weakened

2 meanings of weaken

1
verbtransitive
To make something less strong, powerful, or effective.
Repeated criticism can weaken a person's confidence over time.
The scandal weakened the government's authority considerably.
Similarundermine, erode, sap, diminish, impair
Oppositestrengthen, reinforce, bolster, fortify
2
verbintransitive
To grow less strong, powerful, or effective.
Public support for the policy weakened as new details emerged.
Bridges can weaken when rust spreads through their steel beams.
Similarwane, decline, fade, diminish, dwindle
Oppositestrengthen, grow, intensify

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Origin

Formed from the adjective "weak" combined with the suffix "-en".