to weaken
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to weaken
To reduce the intensity, effect, or strength of something. This can refer to statements, feelings, effects, or forces.
Er versuchte, seine scharfe Kritik mit einem Lächeln abzuschwächen.
He tried to weaken his harsh criticism with a smile.
'Abschwächen' (to weaken) is a separable verb made up of 'ab-' and 'schwächen' (to weaken). The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause.
Der Wind schwächt die Wellen langsam ab.
The wind slowly weakens the waves.
There are two uses: 'etwas abschwächen' (to weaken something) means that someone or something actively reduces the strength. 'Sich abschwächen' (to weaken) means that something becomes weaker on its own.
Der Redner schwächte seine Aussage ab.
The speaker weakened his statement.
The transitive form is often used for abstract things. Typical combinations are: 'Kritik abschwächen' (to soften criticism), 'eine Wirkung abschwächen' (to weaken an effect), or 'einen Konflikt abschwächen' (to de-escalate a conflict).
Sie versuchte, ihre negative Rückmeldung etwas abzuschwächen.
She tried to soften her negative feedback a little.
The reflexive form is often used for natural phenomena or physical sensations. Typical examples are: 'der Sturm schwächt sich ab' (the storm weakens), 'der Schmerz schwächt sich ab' (the pain lessens), or 'das Fieber schwächt sich ab' (the fever goes down).
Nach der Einnahme der Tablette schwächte sich der Kopfschmerz ab.
After taking the tablet, the headache lessened.
to reduce
'reduzieren' and 'abschwächen' can both mean that something becomes less strong. 'reduzieren' is broader and also fits with amounts, numbers, costs, or scope. 'abschwächen' is used mainly for strength, effect, or intensity, for example with pain, criticism, a storm, or an effect. When something countable or measurable becomes smaller, 'reduzieren' is often more natural. When a force, statement, or effect becomes milder, 'abschwächen' fits better.
Nach einer Stunde hat sich der starke Regen abgeschwächt.
After an hour, the heavy rain weakened.
Finn hat die Zahl der Bilder in der Präsentation reduziert.
Finn reduced the number of images in the presentation.