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ACT Exam Literacy - Weakness and Deterioration

Here you will learn some English words related to weakness and deterioration, such as "stifle", "incapacitate", "sap", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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Essential Vocabulary for ACT
to decline

to gradually weaken or worsen in condition or performance

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

to decrease in degree, size, etc.

Ex: The effects of the medication gradually diminish over time. 
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to dwindle

to diminish in quantity or size over time

Ex: The water level in the reservoir began to dwindle during the dry season. 
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to subside

to decline in intensity or strength

Ex: After the storm, the winds gradually subside. 
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to sap
to sap
[Verb]

to gradually drain or deplete someone's power or strength

Ex: Constant stress can sap one's mental resilience. 
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to recede
to recede
[Verb]

to diminish in intensity, visibility, or prominence

Ex: As the sun dipped below the horizon, the colors of the sunset receded. 
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to undermine

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

Ex: Skipping maintenance checks might undermine the long-term reliability of the equipment. 
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to wither
to wither
[Verb]

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

Ex: As the economic recession took hold, the small businesses in the area started to wither, unable to sustain their operations. 
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to incapacitate

to make something unable to work properly

Ex: The power outage incapacitated the entire building, rendering all electronic devices and equipment non-functional. 
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to crumble

to become weak or begin to fail

Ex: The athlete's resolve began to crumble as the race wore on, and fatigue set in. 
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to degrade

to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something

Ex: The outdated technology has degraded the system's performance. 
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to dilute
to dilute
[Verb]

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

Ex: The teacher suggested adding more examples to dilute the complex theory and make it more understandable for the students. 
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to wane
to wane
[Verb]

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

Ex: The popularity of the trend is currently waning among the younger generation. 
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to dissipate

to gradually disappear or spread out

Ex: The morning mist began to dissipate as the sun rose higher in the sky. 
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to exacerbate

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

Ex: Ignoring the issue can exacerbate the problems in the long run. 
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to stifle
to stifle
[Verb]

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

Ex: The strict rules and regulations served to stifle creativity and innovation within the organization. 
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vulnerable
vulnerable
[Adjective]

able to be physically harmed or wounded

Ex: The baby birds in the nest were vulnerable to predators until they learned to fly. 
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delicate
delicate
[Adjective]

easily harmed or destroyed

Ex: The delicate flowers wilted in the hot sun. 
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subtle
subtle
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The artist used subtle brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and movement in the painting. 
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fragile
fragile
[Adjective]

easily damaged or broken

Ex: The butterfly's wings were fragile, thin and translucent in the sunlight. 
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flimsy
flimsy
[Adjective]

likely to break due to the lack of strength or durability

Ex: The flimsy cardboard box fell apart when it was lifted. 
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helpless
helpless
[Adjective]

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

Ex: She felt helpless as she watched the car accident unfold before her eyes. 
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brittle
brittle
[Adjective]

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

Ex: With each step, the brittle twigs underfoot snapped loudly in the quiet forest. 
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tenuous
tenuous
[Adjective]

very delicate or thin

Ex: The spider's web was so tenuous that even the slightest breeze could break it. 
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deficiency

a flaw, weakness, or shortcoming that reduces the effectiveness, quality, or completeness of something

Ex: Her argument was convincing despite a few logical deficiencies. 
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disability

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

Ex: He was born with a disability that affects his ability to walk. 
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shortcoming

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

Ex: Despite his many talents, his inability to delegate tasks was a significant shortcoming. 
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defect
defect
[noun]

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

Ex: The car was recalled due to a defect in the braking system that could cause accidents. 
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