French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
affaiblir
Pronunciation
IPA/afebliʁ/
Meaning
- verbweaken
Example
La fatigue m'affaiblit.
Fatigue weakens me.
More examples
Le froid peut affaiblir le système immunitaire.
The cold can weaken the immune system.
Core concept
A force, body, or effect being worn down until it has less power.
Common phrases
affaiblir la volonté
weaken the will
affaiblir la confiance
weaken confidence
affaiblir le système immunitaire
weaken the immune system
Similar words
diminuer: To reduce the amount or intensity of something.
épuiser: To weaken someone or something by using up its physical strength or resources.
miner: To gradually erode someone's credibility or strength.
Definition in French
Rendre moins fort; diminuer la force, la santé ou l'intensité de quelque chose.
Word origin
Affaiblir developed from Old French afoiblir, formed from faible with the verb-forming ending -ir.
Usage tips
- Affaiblir takes a direct object, as in La fatigue m'affaiblit, while s'affaiblir means to become weaker.
Opposites
- renforcerstrengthenverb
- fortifierfortifyverb
Related words
- affaiblissementweakeningnoun
- affaibliweakenedadjective
- affaiblissantweakeningadjective