Weakening
/ˈwiːkənɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act or process of becoming or making something less strong, powerful, or effective.
/ˈwiːkənɪŋ/
Becoming or making something less strong or effective.
The government's influence is weakening.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a tower of blocks. If you take some blocks away, the tower gets wobbly and less strong. Weakening is like that – making something less strong, like when the tower's starting to fall apart because you took too many blocks away.
👶 For kids: Making something less strong.
More Examples
The constant rain is weakening the foundations of the building.
The illness has been weakening his ability to concentrate.
How It's Used
"The company's profits are weakening due to increased competition."
"The medication may cause weakening of the immune system."
"The team's defense is weakening in the final quarter."
The process of something becoming less strong.
/ˈwiːkənɪŋ/
The process of becoming weaker
The doctor was concerned about the general weakening of the patient's health.
💡 Simply: Imagine the act of a balloon losing air and becoming smaller. Weakening as a noun is the process of it getting less strong - the act itself, or the 'deflation' or 'reduction' of something.
👶 For kids: When something becomes less strong.
More Examples
The weakening of the dollar against other currencies concerned economists.
The weakening of the structure was obvious after the storm.
How It's Used
"The weakening of international relations concerns diplomats."
"Analysts are discussing the weakening of the economy."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Middle English *wekenen*, from Old English *wācnian* ("to become weak"), related to *wāc* ("weak").
The word 'weakening' has been used since the 16th century to describe the act of making something less powerful.
Memory tip
Think of the opposite of strengthening: to make something become weak. The end result is weakening.
Word Origin
"to become less strong"