weaken

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

weak·en [weaken weakens weakened weakening] BrE [ˈwiːkən] NAmE [ˈwiːkən] verb
1. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth) to make sb/sth less strong or powerful; to become less strong or powerful
•The team has been weakened by injury.
•The new evidence weakens the case against her.
•This new story has severely weakened the President's position.
•His authority is steadily weakening.
Opp: ↑strengthen
2. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to make sth less physically strong; to become less physically strong
•The explosion had weakened the building's foundations.
•His health was weakened by overwork.
•She felt her legs weaken.
3. intransitive, transitive to become or make sb become less determined or certain about sth
•You must not agree to do it. Don't weaken.
•~ sth Nothing could weaken his resolve to continue.
Verb forms:

Example Bank:
•The British pound continued to weaken against the dollar.
•The division of Germany had served to weaken the party.
•The judgement serves to weaken public confidence in the courts.
•The military was badly weakened by the sanctions.
•The regime was fatally weakened by the unrest and violence.
•The storm eventually weakened.
•a move designed to weaken the rebels
•exchange rates that dramatically weakened the dollar
•He began to weaken as his opponent continued the onslaught.
•She felt her legs weaken further as she climbed higher up the slope.
•She felt herself beginning to weaken in the face of his persuasion.
•The explosion had weakened the building's foundations considerably.
•This new scandal has severely weakened the President's position.

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  dampen, damp, soften, break, de-escalate, step down, sabotage, undermine, countermine, counteract, subvert
• Từ trái nghĩa / Antonyms:
  escalate, intensify, step up, strengthen, beef up, fortify