ENGLISH
REFERENCE

weakened

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈwikənd// UK //wˈiːkənd// weak·ened

v. to make something or someone less strong or less powerful. You can use it for physical things, like a bridge, or for ideas, like an argument.

v. to reduce the strength, power, or effectiveness of something. The past tense or past participle of 'weaken', often used to describe the erosion of physical structures, political influence, or logical positions.


SIMPLE

The long illness weakened his body.

CONTEXTUAL

Heavy rains over the weekend weakened the foundations of the old bridge, making it unsafe for heavy trucks.

COMPLEX

The scandal significantly weakened the prime minister's authority, making it nearly impossible for the government to pass the controversial new legislation through parliament.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Transitive when describing an external force acting on an object; also used intransitively to describe a subject losing its own strength.

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