Definition

Made less strong or powerful than before.

Example

The storm had weakened the old tree, making it more likely to fall.

Conversation

I heard that the storm really weakened the old tree in the park.

Yeah, I saw it myself; a huge branch fell down yesterday.

It's sad to see such an old tree get weakened like that.

I know! I hope they can do something to save it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To make something less strong or less powerful.

Example

The storm weakened the old tree, causing it to fall.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I heard the storm really weakened the old tree in the park.

Yeah, I saw that! It looked pretty rough after the wind.

I hope they don't have to cut it down completely.

Root Explanation

Weakened → It is formed from "weak" (from Old English *wac, meaning not strong) and "-en" (a suffix used to form verbs indicating to make or become). The word "weakened" means to have made something less strong or to have become less strong.

Memory Tip

Think of something that has become 'not strong' ('weak') and then 'made' ('-en') even less strong — that's what weakened means.

Visually Confused Words