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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to decline [verb]

to gradually weaken or worsen in condition or performance

Ex: As she grew older , her cognitive abilities began to decline , and she struggled to remember things she once knew easily .

to diminish [verb]

to decrease in degree, size, etc.

Ex: Confidence in the project was diminishing as delays continued .

to dwindle [verb]

to diminish in quantity or size over time

Ex: The team 's chances of winning are dwindling as injuries affect key players .

to subside [verb]

to decline in intensity or strength

Ex: The protests have subsided since the government addressed the concerns .

to sap [verb]

to gradually drain or deplete someone's power or strength

Ex: Financial struggles can sap emotional well-being and stability .

to recede [verb]

to diminish in intensity, visibility, or prominence

Ex: The sounds of the bustling city began to recede as he retreated into the peaceful park .

to undermine [verb]

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

Ex: Ignoring safety protocols can undermine the integrity of a project .

to wither [verb]

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

Ex: The team 's morale began to wither after a series of defeats , affecting their performance on the field .

to incapacitate [verb]

to make something unable to work properly

Ex: The virus incapacitated the computer network , halting all communications within the company .

to crumble [verb]

to become weak or begin to fail

Ex: The foundation of their friendship started to crumble when secrets were revealed , causing rifts between them .

to degrade [verb]

to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something

Ex: The lack of maintenance has degraded the equipment ’s condition .

to dilute [verb]

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

Ex: The CEO decided to dilute the company 's strict dress code to foster a more relaxed and inclusive work environment .

to wane [verb]

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

Ex: The storm 's fury waned as it moved away from the coast .

to dissipate [verb]

to gradually disappear or spread out

Ex: The anger in her voice gradually dissipated as she explained the situation .

to exacerbate [verb]

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

Ex: Harsh weather conditions can exacerbate damage to infrastructure .

to stifle [verb]

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

Ex: Excessive criticism from peers can stifle a person 's confidence and willingness to express their opinions .

vulnerable [adjective]

able to be physically harmed or wounded

Ex: The coastal town is vulnerable to hurricanes .

delicate [adjective]

easily harmed or destroyed

Ex: The delicate glass ornaments shattered when they fell off the shelf .

subtle [adjective]

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

Ex: The fragrance was subtle , hinting at notes of jasmine and sandalwood without overpowering the senses .

fragile [adjective]

easily damaged or broken

Ex: The fragile glass vase shattered when it fell to the ground .

flimsy [adjective]

likely to break due to the lack of strength or durability

Ex: The flimsy plastic chairs collapsed under the weight of the guests .

helpless [adjective]

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

Ex: She felt helpless when faced with the overwhelming task ahead of her .

brittle [adjective]

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

Ex: Walking on the frozen lake , the brittle ice beneath them groaned and creaked with each movement .

tenuous [adjective]

very delicate or thin

Ex: The tenuous branches of the tree swayed gently in the breeze , threatening to snap under the weight of the snow .

deficiency [noun]

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

Ex: The audit uncovered several deficiencies in the company 's records .

disability [noun]

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

Ex: She overcame her disability to become a successful artist .

shortcoming [noun]

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

Ex: Her tendency to procrastinate was a shortcoming that often caused her to miss deadlines .

defect [noun]

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

Ex: The new product had a defect that made it less durable than advertised .

ACT Exam Literacy
Understanding Questions	Activity and Behavior	Manual Actions	Vision and Precision
Mental Capacities and Failures	Thoughts	Positive Emotions	Negative Emotions
Opinions	Positive Attitudes	Negative and Neutral Attitudes	Welfare
Resources and Food	Strength and Improvement	Support	Weakness and Deterioration
Opposition	Utility and Creation	Difficulty	Success and Reliability
Restriction