weaken
pronunciation
How to pronounce weaken in British English:
UK [ˈwiːkən]
How to pronounce weaken in American English:
US [ˈwiːkən]
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- Verb:
- lessen the strength of
- become weaker
- destroy property or hinder normal operations
- reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
- lessen in force or effect
Word Origin
- weaken (v.)
- late 14c., "to become feeble," from weak + -en (1). Transitive sense from 1560s. Related: Weakened; weakening.
Antonym
Example
- 1. Their premature entry could fatally weaken the euro .
- 2. Yet party control is unlikely to weaken soon .
- 3. But regulations will surely have to weaken to attract private money .
- 4. Weak sovereigns weaken the banks , and vice versa .
- 5. Indeed , in rich countries unions continue to weaken , especially in the private sector .