How Do You Spell WEAKEN?

Pronunciation: [wˈiːkən] (IPA)

The word "weaken" is spelled with the letter "e" after the letter "k" because it follows the general rule of English phonetics that dictates that when the consonant cluster "kn" appears at the beginning of a word, the "k" is silent and the vowel sound is written after the "n". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˈwiːkən/, with the stress on the first syllable and the final sound represented by the symbol for the schwa vowel.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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WEAKEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Weaken is a verb that refers to the act of making something weaker, less powerful, or less effective. It signifies the reduction of strength, force, or intensity. When something weakens, it becomes less capable of withstanding pressure, resisting damage, or maintaining its original state.

    In a physical sense, weaken relates to the diminishing of physical capacities or qualities. For example, a disease can weaken the immune system, making it less effective at fighting off infections. Similarly, an injury may weaken a person's muscles or bones, reducing their physical abilities.

    Weaken can also describe the diminishing of mental or emotional strength. Prolonged stress or emotional trauma can weaken a person's mental resilience, making them more vulnerable to negative emotions or mental health issues.

    This term is also widely used in the context of relationships and power dynamics. When there is a power imbalance, one party may attempt to weaken the other in order to maintain control or gain an advantage. This can be achieved through manipulation, intimidation, or undermining the other person's confidence.

    In summary, weaken implies the reduction of strength, power, or effectiveness in various aspects such as physical, mental, emotional, or relational. It conveys the idea of a decrease in capability, resistance, or durability in response to various forces or circumstances.

  2. To impair the strength of; to enfeeble.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WEAKEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for WEAKEN

Etymology of WEAKEN

The word weaken has its origins in the Old English word wacnian, which means to become weak. It is derived from the Old English word wacn and the suffix -ian, which denotes a verb. The Old English word wacn itself is related to the Middle Dutch word wakenen and the Old High German word wahanon, both meaning to wane or to diminish. Ultimately, the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root wak-, signifying to decrease or to fade away.

Similar spelling words for WEAKEN

Conjugate verb Weaken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have weakened
you would have weakened
he/she/it would have weakened
we would have weakened
they would have weakened
I would have weaken
you would have weaken
he/she/it would have weaken
we would have weaken
they would have weaken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been weakening
you would have been weakening
he/she/it would have been weakening
we would have been weakening
they would have been weakening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would weaken
you would weaken
he/she/it would weaken
we would weaken
they would weaken

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be weakening
you would be weakening
he/she/it would be weakening
we would be weakening
they would be weakening

FUTURE

I will weaken
you will weaken
he/she/it will weaken
we will weaken
they will weaken

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be weakening
you will be weakening
he/she/it will be weakening
we will be weakening
they will be weakening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have weakened
you will have weakened
he/she/it will have weakened
we will have weakened
they will have weakened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been weakening
you will have been weakening
he/she/it will have been weakening
we will have been weakening
they will have been weakening

IMPERATIVE

you weaken
we let´s weaken

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to weaken

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was weakening
you were weakening
he/she/it was weakening
we were weakening
they were weakening

PAST PARTICIPLE

weakened

PAST PERFECT

I had weakened
you had weakened
he/she/it had weakened
we had weakened
they had weakened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been weakening
you had been weakening
he/she/it had been weakening
we had been weakening
they had been weakening

PRESENT

I weaken
you weaken
he/she/it weakens
we weaken
they weaken

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am weakening
you are weakening
he/she/it is weakening
we are weakening
they are weakening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

weakening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have weakened
you have weakened
he/she/it has weakened
we have weakened
they have weakened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been weakening
you have been weakening
he/she/it has been weakening
we have been weakening
they have been weakening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it weaken

SIMPLE PAST

I weakened
you weakened
he/she/it weakened
we weakened
they weakened

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Correct spelling for weaken
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