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Weaken (Verb)

Meaning 1

Destroy property or hinder normal operations; "The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war".

Classification

Verbs of political and social activities and events.

Examples

  • The hacktivists sought to weaken the company's online presence by launching a series of coordinated cyberattacks.
  • Activists often use non-violent methods, but some turned to violence to weaken the government's authority by destroying critical infrastructure.
  • These actions will certainly weaken the entire system, plunging the economy into recession and chaos.
  • Cyber warfare has been used to weaken a nation's defenses and disrupt their economy without being detected.
  • Terrorists usually aim to weaken their targets by creating widespread fear and panic among the population.

Synonyms

  • Subvert
  • Sabotage
  • Counteract
  • Undermine
  • Countermine

Hypernyms

  • Disobey

Hyponyms

  • Derail

Meaning 2

Become weaker; "The prisoner's resistance weakened after seven days".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

  • Her immune system weakened due to lack of proper nutrition.
  • The painkiller's effect weakened over time as the body developed a tolerance.
  • The athlete's performance weakened in the last few seconds of the marathon.
  • His resolve weakened after hearing the heartbreaking news from his family.
  • The company's financial position weakened as a result of the failed investments and business ventures.

Antonyms

  • Strengthen

Hypernyms

  • Diminish
  • Fall
  • Lessen

Hyponyms

  • Melt
  • Waste
  • Relax
  • Disappear
  • Slacken
  • Languish
  • Evaporate
  • Dim
  • Slow Down
  • Slow Up
  • Slur
  • Lessen
  • Loose
  • Slack

Related Words

  • Weakening (noun)

Meaning 3

Reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of; "de-escalate a crisis".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

  • The government's new policies are designed to weaken the economy's dependence on a single industry.
  • The company's financial struggles have forced them to weaken their presence in overseas markets.
  • Negotiators worked through the night to weaken the proposal sufficiently to win bipartisan support.
  • The central bank took steps to weaken the currency, hoping to boost exports and stimulate economic growth.
  • The new policy aims to weaken the grip of organized crime in the city's neighborhoods.

Synonyms

  • Step Down
  • De-escalate

Hypernyms

  • Decrease
  • Minify

Related Words

  • Weakener (noun)

Meaning 4

Lessen in force or effect; "soften a shock"; "break a fall".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

  • The shock absorbers help weaken the impact of bumps on the road.
  • Proper falling techniques can weaken a landing, reducing injury risk.
  • Exercising regularly and eating well can weaken the severity of cold and flu symptoms.
  • The padded flooring in the playroom is designed to weaken a child's fall, making it safer for them to play.
  • Inflating the parachute helps weaken your descent, allowing you to land safely.

Synonyms

  • Damp
  • Break
  • Dampen
  • Soften

Hypernyms

  • Deaden
  • Blunt

Hyponyms

  • Deaden
  • Damp
  • Deafen
  • Dampen

Related Words

  • Weakener (noun)

Meaning 5

Lessen the strength of; "The fever weakened his body".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

  • High levels of debt can weaken a country's economy over time.
  • The illness weakened the patient, forcing her to stay in bed for weeks.
  • Prolonged drought weakened the crops, resulting in a poor harvest.
  • Overuse weakened the muscles in his shoulder, making it difficult to lift.
  • The constant stress of work weakened her immune system.

Antonyms

  • Strengthen

Hypernyms

  • Alter
  • Modify

Hyponyms

  • Stultify
  • Attenuate
  • Thin Out
  • Season
  • Negate
  • Mollify
  • Castrate
  • Thin
  • Drain
  • Devitalise
  • Cut
  • Reduce
  • Nullify
  • Moderate
  • Neutralise
  • Debilitate
  • De-energise

Related Words

  • Weakener (noun)
  • Weakening (noun)
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