What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
attenuate
Example
The medication can attenuate the symptoms of the flu. [attenuate: verb]
Example
The attenuated version of the virus is used in vaccines. [attenuated: adjective]
weaken
Example
The constant exposure to sunlight can weaken the fabric of the curtains. [weaken: verb]
Example
The weakened immune system made her more susceptible to infections. [weakened: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Weaken is more commonly used than attenuate in everyday language. Weaken is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while attenuate is less common and tends to be used in more specialized or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between attenuate and weaken?
While attenuate is generally considered more formal, weaken is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
