weakened borders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weakened borders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe borders that have become less secure or defined, often in a political or social context. Example: "The recent influx of refugees has led to weakened borders, raising concerns about national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the report showed that passport checks had been downgraded more than 2,000 times after it was decided to weaken border controls.

The Guardian

"The government is fundamentally weakening border security and privacy for passport holders in order to get people through the lines faster," said Ari Schwartz, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, which submitted comments in opposition to the proposed rule, along with 4,000 others, the vast majority in opposition.

The Washington Post

EU 'lying' about border protection Jump to media player The Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto says the EU is intent on weakening border protection.

BBC

It reopened the Christmas Island detention centre with some political fanfare in anticipation of more transfers, in the process contending non-government parties had weakened the border protection regime – but announced in the April budget it would close the facility.

The Guardian

It does nothing to make getting on a boat to Australia more attractive, nor does it in any way weaken our borders (if they were ever weak).

The Guardian - Opinion

"The breakdown of state infrastructure, weakening of borders and proliferation of armed groups during the nearly three-year battle for control of Syria, has transformed the country from a stopover into a major production site," Reuters reported.

Independent

The view from our government seems to be that any step, however carefully managed, to enable people to find safe routes into the UK will weaken our borders irreparably.

The Guardian - Opinion

Morrison chose to hold a press conference in his courtyard on Wednesday to announce the government will reopen the Christmas Island detention centre in order to deal with "what the parliament has done to weaken our borders".

The Guardian

Morrison said the Coalition would repeal the law if it won a majority in May, and said his job now was "to do everything within my power and in the power of the government to ensure that what the parliament has done to weaken our borders does not result in boats coming to Australia".

The Guardian

Political strains and stasis impede reforms in a country weakened by blocked borders, emigration and oligarch ties with officialdom.

The New York Times

As the sun rose to its zenith, the great bludgeon of the day's heat pounded the flagstones, deafening human ears to all sounds, making the air quiver like a frightened blackbuck, and weakening the border between sanity and delirium, between what was fanciful and what was real.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or security, use "weakened borders" to accurately describe situations where border controls or defenses have been compromised, leading to increased vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "weakened borders" without providing specific evidence or context. Clearly articulate the potential risks or actual incidents that have resulted from the compromised border security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weakened borders" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. This phrase typically describes a state where the security or control of national or regional boundaries has been compromised. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "weakened borders" describes a situation where border security and control have been compromised. While the phrase is grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, its usage should be supported by specific evidence and context to avoid overstating the impact. Alternatives such as "compromised borders", "vulnerable borders", and "porous borders" offer similar meanings but may emphasize different aspects of border insecurity. The phrase is typically used in neutral contexts, such as news reports and academic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compromised borders

Indicates a state where borders have been negatively affected or put at risk.

vulnerable borders

Highlights the susceptibility of borders to external threats or breaches.

porous borders

Emphasizes the ease with which borders can be crossed or penetrated.

lax border controls

Focuses on the reduced strictness or effectiveness of border security measures.

fragile borders

Suggests that borders are easily disrupted or destabilized.

insecure borders

Highlights the lack of safety and protection at border areas.

diminished border security

Emphasizes the reduced level of security measures and personnel at borders.

eroded border integrity

Focuses on the gradual loss of the borders' original condition and strength.

loosened border restrictions

Points to the relaxation of rules and regulations governing border crossings.

attenuated border defenses

Suggests that border defenses have been reduced or thinned out.

FAQs

How can I use "weakened borders" in a sentence?

You can use "weakened borders" to describe a situation where border security has been compromised. For example: "The political instability led to "compromised borders" and increased illegal immigration."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "weakened borders"?

Alternatives include "vulnerable borders", "porous borders", or "fragile borders", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What implications arise from "weakened borders"?

"Weakened borders" can lead to increased illegal immigration, smuggling, and potential security threats. The specific implications depend on the geopolitical context.

Is it more appropriate to say "weakened borders" or "less secure borders"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "weakened borders" implies a deterioration from a previous state, while "less secure borders" simply indicates a current state of insecurity. The choice depends on the context.