v.
Pronunciation: ' w ē -k ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: weak · ened ; weak · en · ing \ ' w ē k-ni ŋ , ' w ē -k ə - \
Date: 1530
transitive verb
1 : to make weak : lessen the strength of
2 : to reduce in intensity or effectiveness
intransitive verb : to become weak
– weak · en · er \ ' w ē k-n ə r, ' w ē -k ə - \ noun
synonyms WEAKEN , ENFEEBLE , DEBILITATE , UNDERMINE , SAP , CRIPPLE , DISABLE mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor. 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 an obvious and pitiable condition of 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 a usually sudden crippling or enfeebling < disabled soldiers received an immediate discharge>.