weaken

USAGE SUMMARY

"weaken" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a process of becoming less strong, powerful, or effective, as in the following example sentence: Exposure to the sun's rays will weaken the adhesive on the tape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Tuesday, Hamas's spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, said: "Hamas praises the role martyrs Abu Aisha and Qawasmeh played in chasing down Israeli settlers and we stress that their assassination will not weaken the resistance".

The Guardian

In a particular blow to Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, and Richard Burr, the intelligence committee chairman, the Senate rejected a series of amendments that were designed to weaken the surveillance and transparency reforms contained in the USA Freedom Act.

The Guardian

A cash-strapped Tory- or Labour-led administration is likely to further weaken Britain's defence capability and its outward-facing global stance.

The Guardian

Moody's predicted political instability in the Netherlands for the rest of 2012, and also warned that the collapse of Mark Rutte's government also threatens Europe's drive for closer, tighter, fiscal unity: As one of the euro area's main proponents of rules-based fiscal discipline and monitoring, a Dutch failure to abide by these rules could weaken proposed euro area rules at their birth.

The Guardian - Business

It's then expected to weaken as it moves westward parallel to the Top End north coast on Monday.

The Guardian

It is a development that the US, EU and other allies, including those in Nato, fear because it would weaken Britain's international standing and place a question over its Trident submarine nuclear defence capability – currently based in Holy Loch in Scotland.

The Guardian

Dagan said that Abbas also had reservations about the report's acceptance by the international community, which would "play into the hands of Hamas and weaken his position".

The Guardian

They pushed him out of Uganda but didn't effectively weaken the actual strength of the group.

The Guardian

Corporate media's solution isn't to totally dismantle public broadcasters – there's no public appetite for that – but to neuter, privatise, weaken, dismiss and delegitimise them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The research was published as the prime minister rejected calls to extend civil partnership to heterosexual couples on the grounds that it would weaken marriage.

The Guardian

Cameron took 36.9% of the vote – and 331 seats – to Labour's 30.4% (232 seats), but his victory was achieved at the price of conceding stunning success to the separatist Scottish National party (SNP) north of the border – which could further weaken the 308-year union with England.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weaken" when you want to express a reduction in strength, power, or effectiveness, whether physical or abstract. For example, "The economy began to weaken due to rising interest rates."

Common error

While "weaken" implies a reduction in strength or effectiveness, it's not always interchangeable with "reduce". Use "reduce" for quantities or sizes, and "weaken" when referring to a decrease in power or resilience. For example, say "reduce the budget" not "weaken the budget" if you mean a straightforward decrease in the budget amount.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "weaken" is as a transitive or intransitive verb. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object (e.g., "The scandal will weaken the government"). As an intransitive verb, it describes something becoming weaker (e.g., "The storm began to weaken"). According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weaken" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that describes a reduction in strength, power, or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in diverse contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources. To enhance your writing, remember that while "weaken" implies a decrease in resilience or power, it's not always interchangeable with "reduce", which is more appropriate for quantities. Related phrases include "undermine", "diminish", and "impair", each offering unique nuances. Use "weaken" to add precision to your expression when indicating a decline in power or stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermine

Implies a gradual or insidious weakening, often of something abstract like authority or a system.

diminish

Suggests a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

impair

Indicates damage or injury that weakens something's function or quality.

erode

Implies a gradual wearing away or deterioration, often over time.

attenuate

Signifies a lessening in intensity or force, making something weaker or thinner.

sap strength

Emphasizes the depletion of energy or vitality.

degrade

Highlights a decline in quality, status, or character.

cripple

Suggests severe damage or impairment that makes something ineffective.

debilitate

Focuses on making someone or something weak and infirm.

compromise

Indicates a reduction in quality or effectiveness due to a concession or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "weaken" in a sentence?

You can use "weaken" to describe making something less strong, as in "The scandal will "weaken" the government's position", or to describe something becoming less strong, as in "The storm began to "weaken" as it moved inland".

What are some synonyms for "weaken"?

Some synonyms for "weaken" include "undermine", "diminish", "impair", and "erode". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "weaken the impact"?

Yes, it is correct. "Weaken the impact" is commonly used to describe reducing the effect or influence of something, as in "The new regulations are designed to "weaken the impact" of pollution".

What is the difference between "weaken" and "reduce"?

"Weaken" implies a loss of strength, power, or effectiveness, while "reduce" means to make something smaller in size, amount, or degree. You might "weaken" a policy by removing key provisions, or "reduce" the budget by cutting spending.