Definitions
- Describing a reduction in strength or power. - Referring to a decrease in the intensity or effectiveness of something. - Talking about a decline in health, vitality, or energy.
- Describing a reduction in amount, quantity, or degree. - Referring to a decrease in the severity or importance of something. - Talking about a decline in the frequency or occurrence of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve a decrease or reduction in something.
- 2Both can be used to describe a decline in strength or intensity.
- 3Both can be used to describe a decrease in importance or significance.
- 4Both can be used to describe a decline in frequency or occurrence.
- 5Both can be used to describe a negative change or effect.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Weaken emphasizes a reduction in strength or power, while lessen emphasizes a reduction in amount or degree.
- 2Usage: Weaken is more commonly used to describe physical objects or people, while lessen is more commonly used to describe abstract concepts or situations.
- 3Intensity: Weaken implies a more significant or severe reduction than lessen.
- 4Direction: Weaken implies a downward trend or negative change, while lessen can also imply a positive change or improvement.
- 5Connotation: Weaken can have negative connotations of vulnerability or fragility, while lessen can have neutral or positive connotations of moderation or balance.
Remember this!
Weaken and lessen are synonyms that both describe a decrease or reduction in something. However, weaken emphasizes a reduction in strength or power, while lessen emphasizes a reduction in amount or degree. Weaken is more commonly used to describe physical objects or people, while lessen is more commonly used to describe abstract concepts or situations. Additionally, weaken implies a more significant or severe reduction than lessen, and weaken can have negative connotations of vulnerability or fragility, while lessen can have neutral or positive connotations of moderation or balance.
