weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.
a disease that weakens the body's defenses
enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.
enfeebled by starvation
debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.
the debilitating effects of surgery
undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.
a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think
cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.
crippled by arthritis
disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.
disabled by an injury sustained at work
Example Sentences
The disease weakens the immune system. Some are concerned that the increase in taxes will weaken the economy. The beams had been weakened by water damage. efforts to weaken environmental laws The recent setbacks have not weakened our resolve. These kinds of contradictions weaken your argument. The disease causes the immune system to weaken. The dollar has continued to weaken against the euro. Lower interest rates have weakened the dollar. See More
Recent Examples on the WebHurricane Kay, which may weaken into a tropical storm, is not expected to make direct landfall in the state but could deliver gale-force winds, strong surf and several inches of rain from San Diego to Los Angeles before shifting west. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Recent surveys have pointed to a sharp slowdown in global economic growth as higher prices weaken consumer demand and the war in Ukraine scrambles supply chains. Harriet Torry, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Oil prices plunged nearly $6 per barrel Tuesday and another $3 early Wednesday due to concerns that fuel demand could weaken as central banks aggressively raise interest rates to fight inflation, potentially hurting economic growth. Harold Maass, The Week, 31 Aug. 2022 Pumpkins can tolerate frost, but a freeze will quickly weaken the rind and shorten storage life. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2022 Proponents of the legislation say the reforms were meant to create a more equitable criminal justice system while opponents think the reforms will weaken law enforcement and embolden criminals. Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 But many of them suggested that growth would weaken as higher rates take hold. Paul Wiseman, ajc, 17 Aug. 2022 But many of them suggested that growth would weaken as higher rates take hold. Paul Wiseman, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 In their commendable desire to make prescription drugs more affordable, some of my friends in Congress are pushing a proposal that would harm tens of millions of patients and weaken our economy. Howard Dean, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 See More