crossword weaken – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "crossword weaken", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, organized by letter count, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and easily.
Solutions for "crossword weaken" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SAP: To gradually undermine or weaken power or effectiveness.
4 Letters
UNDO: To reverse the effect of something, potentially weakening its impact.
5 Letters
ERODE: To gradually wear away or destroy, weakening a structure or substance.
DECAY: To rot or decompose, leading to a loss of strength or integrity.
6 Letters
IMPAIR: To weaken or damage something, especially a faculty or function.
LESSEN: To diminish in size, amount, or intensity; to make something less strong or severe.
DILUTE: To make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it.
8 Letters
ENFEEBLE: To make weak or feeble, often used for people or systems.
UNDERCUT: To weaken (something, especially a position or authority) gradually or insidiously.
10 Letters
DEBILITATE: To make (someone) very weak and infirm, often due to illness or exhaustion.
More About "crossword weaken"
The clue "weaken" is a versatile term in crosswords, often pointing to a wide array of synonyms depending on the specific context and the required letter count. From the subtle act of 'sapping' one's energy to the more forceful 'debilitation' of a disease, understanding the nuances of the clue can be key. Crossword setters love to play with these variations, hinting at gradual processes, physical decay, or the reduction of influence or intensity.
When you encounter "weaken" in a puzzle, consider what kind of "weakening" is implied. Is it a physical breakdown, as in ERODE or DECAY? Is it an emotional or psychological draining, like SAP or UNDO? Or perhaps it refers to the dilution of a substance or an argument, such as DILUTE or LESSEN? The breadth of its meaning ensures it's a common and challenging clue, offering multiple paths to the correct answer.
Our goal at Crosswordanswer.co.uk is to provide all these possibilities, helping you navigate the linguistic complexity of crosswords. By presenting answers across various lengths with concise explanations, we aim to make your puzzling experience smoother and more enjoyable, allowing you to confidently fill in those tricky blanks.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Examine Intersecting Letters: The most crucial tip for clues like "weaken" with multiple possible answers is to use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. This will narrow down the options significantly.
- Consider the Clue's Nuance: Think about the exact meaning implied by the clue. Does "weaken" suggest a slow process (e.g., ERODE, SAP), a reduction in strength (e.g., LESSEN, DILUTE), or making someone infirm (e.g., DEBILITATE)?
- Check for Wordplay or Anagrams: While "weaken" itself is a straightforward definition, sometimes crosswords use wordplay or anagrams for synonyms. If a common answer doesn't fit, look for more creative interpretations of the clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find the correct 'weaken' answer in a crossword?
To pinpoint the right answer for 'weaken', consider the number of letters and any intersecting words you've already solved. 'Weaken' can have many synonyms, so look for nuances in the clue's phrasing that might indicate a specific type of weakening, such as a gradual process (ERODE, SAP) or a more direct one (UNDO, IMPAIR).
What are common synonyms for 'weaken' used in crosswords?
Frequently appearing crossword synonyms for 'weaken' include SAP, ERODE, UNDO, IMPAIR, LESSEN, DILUTE, DEBILITATE, and ENFEEBLE. The precise answer often depends on the required word length and how the clue is framed within the puzzle.
Why do some crossword clues, like 'weaken', have multiple possible answers?
Many English words, 'weaken' being a prime example, possess several synonyms that fit a broad definition. In crosswords, this means a single clue can legitimately lead to multiple answers of varying or even identical lengths. The definitive solution is typically confirmed by how it fits with other completed words in the grid.