attenuated
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /əˈtɛnjueɪtɪd/
KK: /əˈtɛn.ju.eɪ.tɪd/
adjective
Definition
Describing something that has been made weaker or thinner, often in terms of force, effect, or physical thickness.
Example
The attenuated signal was barely audible on the radio.
Conversation
Have you seen those plants in the garden?
Yeah, they look really attenuated compared to last year.
I know! I wonder if it's because of the lack of rain.
That could be it; they definitely need more water.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
slender
thin
weakened
Antonyms
thick
strong
intact
verb
Definition
To make something weaker or less intense.
Example
The doctor explained that the vaccine would attenuate the virus, making it less harmful.
Tense Forms
Past: attenuated
Past Participle: attenuated
Conversation
Did you notice how the sound attenuated when we moved away from the crowd?
Yeah, it was strange how quiet it got.
I guess that happens when you attenuate the distance between us and the noise.
Root Explanation
Attenuated → It is formed from "ad-" (meaning to) and "tenuare" (meaning to make thin or slender) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a past participle). The word "attenuated" means made thinner or weakened in force or intensity.
Memory Tip
Think of something being 'made thin' ('tenuare') as it is 'brought to' ('ad-') a lesser state — that's why attenuated means weakened or reduced.
Visually Confused Words
unattenuated
subattenuated
catenated
tenuate
subattenuate
catenulate