attenuate
Translation
to weaken, to reduce, to lessen, to thin
Examples
The medicine will attenuate the pain.
The medicine will attenuate the pain.
The signal was attenuated by the thick walls.
The signal was attenuated by the thick walls.
Grammar Patterns
to attenuate ((sth.)) to reduce the force, effect, or value of something Earplugs can attenuate loud noises.
Similar Words
Synonyms: weaken, reduce, diminish; Antonyms: strengthen, amplify, intensify
Etymology
From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'tenuis' (thin). The original meaning is 'to make thin'.
Memory Tips
Think of the root 'tenuis' (thin). To attenuate something is to make its effect thinner or weaker.