English Words for "Weakness and Deterioration" | ACT Vocabulary

to decline

Verb

d

e

ɪ

c

k

l

i

aɪ

n

e

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to gradually weaken or worsen in condition or performance

better

Example

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His health began to decline after he stopped following his doctor's recommendations for exercise and diet.

The quality of the product started to decline after the manufacturer switched to cheaper materials.

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to diminish

Verb

d

i

ɪ

m

i

ɪ

n

i

ɪ

sh

ʃ

to decrease in degree, size, etc.

increase

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to dwindle

Verb

d

w

i

ɪ

n

d

ə

l

e

Disapproving

to diminish in quantity or size over time

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to subside

Verb

s

u

ə

b

s

i

aɪ

d

e

to decline in intensity or strength

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to sap

Verb

s

a

æ

p

to gradually drain or deplete someone's power or strength

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to recede

Verb

/ɹɪˈsid/

to diminish in intensity, visibility, or prominence

gain

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to undermine

Verb

/ˈəndɝˌmaɪn/

to gradually decrease the effectiveness, confidence, or power of something or someone

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to wither

Verb

w

i

ɪ

th

ð

e

ɜ

r

to decline, weaken, or deteriorate, often in terms of strength, vitality, or overall condition

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to incapacitate

Verb

i

ɪ

n

c

k

a

ə

p

a

æ

c

s

i

ɪ

t

a

eɪ

t

e

to make something unable to work properly

enable

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to crumble

Verb

c

k

r

u

ə

m

b

ə

l

e

to become weak or begin to fail

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to degrade

Verb

d

e

ɪ

g

r

a

eɪ

d

e

to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to dilute

Verb

d

i

aɪ

l

u

t

e

to make something less forceful, potent, or intense by adding additional elements or substances

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to wane

Verb

w

a

eɪ

n

e

to gradually decrease in intensity, strength, importance, size, influence, etc.

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to dissipate

Verb

d

i

ɪ

ss

s

i

ə

p

a

eɪ

t

e

to gradually disappear or spread out

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to exacerbate

Verb

e

ɪ

x

gz

a

æ

c

s

e

ɜ

r

b

a

eɪ

t

e

to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse or more severe

better

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to stifle

Verb

s

t

i

aɪ

f

ə

l

e

to suppress, restrain, or hinder the growth, development, or intensity of something

stimulate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

vulnerable

Adjective

v

u

ə

l

n

e

ɜ

r

a

ə

b

ə

l

e

easily hurt, often due to weakness or lack of protection

delicate

Adjective

d

e

ɛ

l

i

ə

c

k

a

ə

t

e

easily harmed or destroyed

subtle

Adjective

s

u

ə

b

ə

t

l

e

difficult to notice or detect because of its slight or delicate nature

fragile

Adjective

f

r

a

æ

g

ʤ

i

ə

l

e

easily damaged or broken

flimsy

Adjective

f

l

i

ɪ

m

s

z

y

i

likely to break due to the lack of strength or durability

helpless

Adjective

h

e

ɛ

l

p

l

e

ə

ss

s

lacking strength or power, often feeling unable to act or influence a situation

brittle

Adjective

b

r

i

ɪ

tt

t

ə

l

e

easily broken, cracked, or shattered due to the lack of flexibility and resilience

tenuous

Adjective

t

e

ɛ

n

u

j

o

ə

u

w

ə

s

Formal

very delicate or thin

deficiency

noun

d

e

ɪ

f

i

ɪ

c

ʃ

ie

ə

n

c

s

y

i

an existing weakness or fault in someone or something

disability

noun

d

i

ɪ

s

a

ə

b

i

ɪ

l

i

ɪ

t

y

i

a physical or mental condition that prevents a person from using some part of their body completely or learning something easily

What is a "disability"?

A disability is a physical, mental, sensory, or developmental condition that may limit a person's ability to perform certain tasks, participate in activities, or interact with their environment in the same way as others. Disabilities can vary widely in nature and seriousness, and they can appear from birth or later in life due to injury, illness, or other factors. People with disabilities may face challenges in areas such as movement, communication, learning, or daily living activities. However, with appropriate support, accommodations, and access to resources, individuals with disabilities can lead independent and fulfilling lives. It is important to promote acceptance and remove barriers to make sure of equal opportunities and participation for people with disabilities in all aspects of society.

shortcoming

noun

sh

ʃ

o

ɔ

r

t

c

k

o

ə

m

i

ɪ

n

g

a flaw or weakness that reduces the quality or effectiveness of something or someone

defect

noun

d

e

i

f

e

ɛ

c

k

t

a flaw or deficiency that impairs the quality or effectiveness of something

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You learned 28 words from ACT Weakness and Deterioration Vocabulary. To improve learning and review vocabulary, start practicing.

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