attenuate
attenuate — verb
- attenuatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- attenuateshe / she / it
- attenuatedpast simple
- attenuating-ing form
1. to reduce the strength, power, or damaging effect of something, often in a gradu
to reduce the strength, power, or damaging effect of something, often in a gradual or controlled way
The thick curtains attenuated the morning light, so Mei could sleep past sunrise.
attenuated + noun phrase (morning light)
Lakan's doctor explained that the injection would attenuate the pain for about six hours.
attenuate + noun phrase (pain/effect)
The tree canopy attenuated the force of the rain before the drops reached the ground.
Without the vaccine's ability to attenuate the virus, far more people would become sick.
Earthquake damage can be attenuated by installing flexible supports in older buildings.
- weaken
more general and common; can apply to physical objects, arguments, or abilities
- reduce
focuses on decreasing size, amount, or degree; far more frequent in everyday English
- diminish
suggests a gradual reduction that makes something seem smaller or less important
- mitigate
specifically about making something harmful less severe; common in formal and legal writing
- intensify
to make something stronger or more extreme
- strengthen
to make something more powerful or effective
文法句型
attenuate + noun phrase
be attenuated + by + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice (be attenuated by). Common in scientific, medical, and technical writing, but much rarer in everyday spoken English than simpler synonyms such as 'weaken' or 'reduce'.
常見錯誤
2. to make an object longer and thinner by stretching, pulling, or shaping it, espe
to make an object longer and thinner by stretching, pulling, or shaping it, especially in art, design, or craft
The glass artist attenuated the hot tube into a long, narrow vase with elegant curves.
attenuate + noun phrase + into + noun phrase
The craftsman heated the metal rod and carefully attenuated it into a long, flexible wire.
attenuate + noun phrase + into + noun phrase (stretching context)
As the bamboo shoot grows, its upper stem attenuates and bends toward the light.
In traditional Japanese joinery, craftsmen carefully attenuate wooden beams to produce graceful arched roofs.
The wire was heated and carefully attenuated until it became as thin as thread.
文法句型
attenuate + noun phrase + into + noun phrase
attenuate + noun phrase + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Typically describes a physical change in shape or dimension. Common in art criticism, biological description, and craft contexts. This sense is less frequent than the 'make weaker' sense.
常見錯誤
attenuate — adjective
- attenuatepositive
- more attenuatecomparative
- most attenuatesuperlative
1. reduced in power, strength, or effect compared with the original or normal state
reduced in power, strength, or effect compared with the original or normal state
The attenuated signal meant that Kian could not pick up the radio station clearly.
attenuated + noun (signal)
Doctors use an attenuated form of the virus to make the annual flu vaccine safer.
attenuated form of + noun phrase
After six hours of hiking, the group's attenuated energy levels forced them to rest.
An attenuated beam of blue light escaped through the tiny crack in the laboratory wall.
The attenuated breeze from the small fan was barely enough to cool Yumi's face.
- intensified
made stronger or more extreme
- strengthened
made more powerful or effective
用法筆記
Often used before a noun (attributive position), especially in medical and technical contexts (attenuated virus, attenuated signal). In everyday conversation, 'weak', 'dull', or 'faint' are more natural choices.