weaken

1. V-T/V-I If you weaken something or if it weakens, it becomes less strong or less powerful. 使虛弱; 變得虛弱

The recession has weakened so many businesses that many can no longer survive. 經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退削弱了很多企業(yè)的實(shí)力，以至于很多無法再生存下去。

Family structures are weakening and breaking up. 家庭結(jié)構(gòu)正在弱化、崩潰。

2. V-T/V-I If your resolve weakens or if something weakens it, you become less determined or less certain about taking a particular course of action that you had previously decided to take. 動(dòng)搖

I looked at the list and felt my resolve weakening. 我看著那張單子，感到我的決心開始動(dòng)搖。

Jennie weakened, and finally relented. 珍妮猶豫一下，最終不再拒絕了。

3. V-T If something weakens you, it causes you to lose some of your physical strength. 使虛弱

Malnutrition obviously weakens the patient. 營(yíng)養(yǎng)不良明顯使病人虛弱無力。

4. V-T If something weakens an object, it does something to it that causes it to become less firm and more likely to break. 使松動(dòng)

A bomb blast had weakened an area of brick on the back wall. 炸彈爆炸使后墻的塊磚都松動(dòng)了。