weaken /ˈwiːkən/ CET4 TEM4 ( weakening, weakened, weakens )

• 1. 

  V-T/V-I If you weaken something or if it weakens, it becomes less strong or less powerful. 使虚弱; 变得虚弱

  例：

  The recession has weakened so many businesses that many can no longer survive.

  经济衰退削弱了很多企业的实力，以至于很多无法再生存下去。

  例：

  Family structures are weakening and breaking up.

  家庭结构正在弱化、崩溃。

• 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. 动摇

  例：

  I looked at the list and felt my resolve weakening.

  我看着那张单子，感到我的决心开始动摇。

  例：

  Jennie weakened, and finally relented.

  珍妮犹豫一下，最终不再拒绝了。

• 3. 

  V-T If something weakens you, it causes you to lose some of your physical strength. 使虚弱

  例：

  Malnutrition obviously weakens the patient.

  营养不良明显使病人虚弱无力。

• 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. 使松动

  例：

  A bomb blast had weakened an area of brick on the back wall.

  炸弹爆炸使后墙的块砖都松动了。