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Glite Dictionary
⬇️ Becoming less strong 💧 Making weaker
weakening

weakening

3.7
Causing a person, animal, or thing to become less strong
  • adjective
  • /ˈwiːkənɪŋ/
translation icon : debilitante
  • The team's weakening performance this season has raised concerns among the fans.

Examples

  • Why doesn't the Prime Minister understand that low pay is a threat to an already weakening economy?

  • The recent drought is causing weakening in the crops, making them more vulnerable to pests.

  • His illness has been steadily weakening him, leaving him unable to participate in activities he once enjoyed.

Synonyms

attrition
vsweakening
  • Specialized
18 7.9

Slow loss of people or strength caused by continued pressure

covers general loss of strength and vitality from any cause
diminishment
vsweakening
4 6.7

A decrease in size, strength or importance

is aimed at causing loss of strength or vitality rather than general reduction
lessening
vsweakening
4 3.8

A decrease in amount, size, or strength

focuses on causing loss of strength or health rather than any broad reduction
ebbing
vsweakening
1 6.7

A slow decrease in strength, amount, or intensity

is about causing strength loss rather than merely indicating decline
dwindling
vsweakening
1 5.2

A slow decrease in size, number, or strength

is a process that actively causes loss rather than passive shrinking
slackening
vsweakening
1 5.6

A change when something becomes less tight, strong, or intense

refers specifically to causing overall loss of strength or vitality beyond looseness
debilitation
vsweakening
1 8.1

A serious loss of strength and energy that makes someone weak

is a more general process and not necessarily medical or severe
waning
vsweakening
1 6.0

A gradual decrease in size or strength

implies an active reduction of strength or health, not just gradual lowering

Antonyms

invigorating
9 4.4

Making you feel more energetic and alive

revitalizing
  • US
4.3

Something that makes a person or thing feel stronger and more energetic

How Weakening

crippling
8 5.8
debilitating
33 7.5
weakening
3.7

Surface Forms

weakening positive

Morphology

weakening = weaken (transparent) = weak + en + ing

A participial adjective formed by adding '-ing' to the verb 'weaken' (derived from 'weak' + '-en'), producing an adjective meaning 'causing or undergoing loss of strength'.

Etymology

Weakening as an adjective is made from weak ('not strong') plus -en ('to make') and -ing ('doing or causing'), so it describes something that makes a person or thing less strong, for example a long sickness or a harsh winter that slowly reduces health.