GRE Words for Weaken and Diminish
These 13 GRE words all share the meaning of weaken and diminish. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.
Why this cluster matters
On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.
The 13 words
To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity
To reduce the force, effect, or value of; to weaken
To make weak or feeble; to impair the strength of
To deprive of strength, vitality, or energy
To gradually decrease or decline; the movement of tide out to sea
To make abnormally thin or weak, especially through illness or starvation
To cause someone to feel drained of energy; to weaken
To make weak or feeble
(verb) To gradually weaken or destroy; to drain of energy
To become less intense, violent, or severe
To weaken or damage something, especially gradually or insidiously
To spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of; to corrupt
To decrease in vigor, power, or extent; become weaker
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