weaken
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++weak·en /ˈwiːkən/ ●●○ verb [intransitive, transitive] 1 POWERto make someone or something less powerful or less important, or to become less powerful (使)变弱；削弱；减弱 OPP strengthen Over the last two years the president’s position has weakened. 过去两年来，总统的地位被削弱了。 Changes in policy have weakened the power of the trade unions. 政策的变化削弱了工会的力量。 The absence of this witness has weakened the case against the accused. 这名证人的缺席削弱了对被告的指控力度。2 WEAKto make someone lose their physical strength, or to become physically weak (使)〔某人〕虚弱[衰弱] Julia was weakened by her long illness. 朱莉娅因为长期患病，身体衰弱。3 PERSUADEto make someone less determined, or to become less determined (使)〔某人的决心〕动摇 Such policies weaken the resolve of potential troublemakers. 这样的政策动摇了潜在闹事者的决心。 When she begged him to let her stay, he weakened. 她求他让她留下来，他心软了。4 TECTBCto make a building, structure etc less strong, or to become less strong (使)〔建筑、结构等〕变得不结实 The earthquake in Cairo weakened a number of structures. 开罗的这场地震使大量建筑物根基松动。5 PECBFSif a particular country’s money or a company’s share prices weaken, or if they are weakened, their value is reduced (使 货币、股票等价值〕疲弱，疲软weaken against The pound has weakened against the dollar. 英镑兑美元走势疲软。→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
weaken• It seems, too, that traditional values that prescribe a life of domesticity are weakening.• The soldiers' morale was beginning to weaken.• The city's defences had been weakened by enemy shelling.• Hartman was weakened by flu, but still managed to play.• That is one reason so many Republicans want him to remain in place even in a weakened condition.• By 1945, the country's power was weakening considerably.• Her long illness has weakened her so much that she has difficulty walking.• Trying to please everyone inevitably leads to compromise, and that in turn weakens individual expression.• Birthday shows us that weakening is inevitable, but not always fatal.• It is a manner of speech now increasingly rare in the world, faded and ever weakening like a lost radio signal.• By launching the new forum Mr Heseltine is getting his own back on the now weakened Mr Lamont.• Pleasure, a rarity at any rate, only serves to weaken one; what one really needs is stamina and discipline.• Inside the house the heat weakened only slightly.• Some parents are worried that public education weakens the family's influence.• The explosion severely weakened the foundations of the house.From Longman Business Dictionaryweakenweak‧en /ˈwiːkən/ verb1[intransitive, transitive]FINANCE if investments, prices, currencies etc weaken, or something weakens them, they begin to fall in valueA combination of low US interest rates and a rising Euro will weaken the dollar.Work stoppages will cause an alreadyweakening economy to slow further.London shares weakened, while Frankfurt stocks finished strong.2[transitive] to make something less powerful, successful, or profitableFurther weakened by the recession, the airline filed for bankruptcy.Many agencies fear that revealing the use of subcontractors may weaken their reputations as full-service shops.→ See Verb tableweak·en verbChineseSyllable
less or powerful something to someone Business Corpus make
weaken
weak‧en /ˈwiːkən/
verb [intransitive and transitive]1. to make someone or something less powerful or less important, or to become less powerful
OPP strengthen:
Over the last two years the president’s position has weakened.
Changes in policy have weakened the power of the trade unions.
The absence of this witness has weakened the case against the accused.
2. to make someone lose their physical strength, or to become physically weak:
Julia was weakened by her long illness.
3. to make someone less determined, or to become less determined:
Such policies weaken the resolve of potential troublemakers.
When she begged him to let her stay, he weakened.
4. to make a building, structure etc less strong, or to become less strong:
The earthquake in Cairo weakened a number of structures.
5. if a particular country’s money or a company’s share prices weaken, or if they are weakened, their value is reduced
weaken against
The pound has weakened against the dollar.
weak‧en /ˈwiːkən/
verb [intransitive and transitive]1. to make someone or something less powerful or less important, or to become less powerful OPP strengthen:
2. to make someone lose their physical strength, or to become physically weak:
3. to make someone less determined, or to become less determined:
4. to make a building, structure etc less strong, or to become less strong:
5. if a particular country’s money or a company’s share prices weaken, or if they are weakened, their value is reduced
weaken against