1. to reduce the strength or effectiveness of a defensive position, argument, or system
The scandal weakened the government's defense against criticism.
O escândalo enfraqueceu a defesa do governo contra as críticas.
2. in sports, to make the defensive line or strategy less effective
The team's injuries weakened their defense significantly.
As lesões enfraqueceram a defesa do time significativamente.
3. in legal context, to undermine or make vulnerable a legal defense
New evidence weakened the defendant's defense.
Novas provas enfraqueceram a defesa do réu.