weakening

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "weakening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something becoming weaker or deteriorating in quality. For example, "The support from the public has been weakening in recent months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think we should be promoting marriage rather than looking at any other way of weakening it".

The Guardian

Another of the Conservatives' key messages - blaming Labour for the current spending cuts - is also weakening.

The Guardian

It was turquoise, but it was fragile – the band on it was weakening.

The Guardian

It seemed to us that, nationally, its potency was weakening, its bright colours fading, while for us even 30 years on, it was somehow lodged within our DNA as something unresolved and painful.

The Guardian

The ratings agency cited fragile and weakening banks as the main factor in its decision, stating: In order to maintain appropriate domestic bank capital levels, the Cypriot government will likely need to provide financial support to the country's banks that could threaten the sustainability of the government's debt burden So, who are the ratings agencies?

The Guardian

Yet insurers have expressed concern that such exemptions could make it harder to attract enough new customers into the system to make the economics work and were weakening the principle of the 'individual mandate' requiring everyone to participate in some form of insurance.

The Guardian

They covertly affected the making of technical standards, weakening everyone's security everywhere in order to make their own stealing easier.

The Guardian - Tech

Yet we must examine every item that is proposed in response to these events to be sure we are not rewarding these terrorists and weakening ourselves by giving up the cherished freedoms that they seek to destroy".

The Guardian

The new ICAO targets in some ways represent a victory for that stonewalling – buying the airlines time and weakening the rules.

The Guardian

Although the treasurer, Joe Hockey, said the aim of the pain was "budget repair" – a national effort in which Australians "fix the budget together" – he is not promising a surplus in the four years of the forward estimates, with a deficit of $2.8bn forecast for 2017-18: unemployment remains at 6% or higher for the next three, growth is almost unchanged and business investment is weakening.

The Guardian

"Price declines and slower growth make nations more desperate, and they can be more apt to weakening environmental standards in order to grab at any investment," said Gallagher, who is the co-author of The Dragon in the Room: China and the Future of Latin American Industrialisation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weakening", consider specifying what is being weakened and the cause or effect of this weakening for clarity. For instance, instead of simply saying "the economy is weakening", specify "the economy is weakening due to decreased consumer spending, leading to job losses".

Common error

Avoid using "weakening" as a catch-all term without providing specific context. Instead of saying "the situation is weakening", identify the specific aspects that are deteriorating, such as "the security situation is weakening due to increased insurgent activity".

Linguistic Context

The term "weakening" primarily functions as a verb, specifically a present participle or gerund. It describes an ongoing process of becoming weaker or less effective. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing the deterioration of various entities, such as economies, relationships, and physical structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weakening" functions as a verb describing an ongoing decline in strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is very commonly used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, to describe deterioration in diverse entities. To ensure clarity in your writing, specify what is being weakened and the reason behind it, while avoiding overly vague applications. Consider alternatives like ""diminishing"" or ""declining"" depending on the specific context. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "weakening" to convey nuanced meanings in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing effectiveness

Specifically points to a reduction in the ability to produce a desired result.

losing strength

Directly describes a reduction in physical or metaphorical strength.

becoming undermined

Focuses on the process of gradually weakening or destabilizing something.

becoming less potent

Focuses on a decrease in effectiveness or power.

becoming compromised

Suggests that something is becoming more vulnerable or less effective due to some impairment.

diminishing in intensity

Emphasizes a decrease in the degree or force of something.

experiencing a decline

Refers to a gradual deterioration or decrease in quality or quantity.

becoming diluted

Highlights the reduction in concentration or purity, leading to a weaker state.

undergoing erosion

Suggests a gradual wearing away or deterioration.

fading away

Implies a gradual disappearance or loss of prominence.

FAQs

How can I use "weakening" in a sentence?

You can use "weakening" to describe a reduction in strength, intensity, or effectiveness. For example, "The government's support is "weakening"," or "The storm is "weakening" as it moves inland."

What are some alternatives to the word "weakening"?

Some alternatives to "weakening" include "diminishing", "declining", "eroding", or "undermining", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "weakening" and "undermining"?

"Weakening" generally refers to a reduction in strength or effectiveness, while ""undermining"" suggests a deliberate or insidious action that weakens something, often from within.

Is it better to say "the economy is weakening" or "the economy is declining"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""declining"" might suggest a more pronounced or irreversible downturn, whereas ""weakening"" could imply a more gradual or potentially temporary reduction in strength. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of severity you wish to convey.