attenuate
/əˈtɛn.juː.eɪt/
Group 18Difficulty 3/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To reduce the force, effect, or value of; to make thin or thinner GRE
Example in Context
The thick walls of the bunker attenuated the blast wave sufficiently to protect the occupants inside.
Synonyms
thin outweakenreduce
Etymology
To make something thinner or reduce its strength.
- ad- (Latin) — to
- tenuare (Latin) — to make thin
Memory Aid
🍽️Sounds like “a tin you ate”
When you eat a TIN of food, you ATTENUATE your appetite!
Visual Association
🧊A thick rope slowly fraying until it becomes a thin thread.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “attenuate” mean on the GRE?
attenuate (verb) means “To reduce the force, effect, or value of; to make thin or thinner”. The thick walls of the bunker attenuated the blast wave sufficiently to protect the occupants inside.
How to remember “attenuate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “attenuate” sounds like “a tin you ate”. When you eat a TIN of food, you ATTENUATE your appetite!
What are synonyms for “attenuate”?
Common synonyms: thin out, weaken, reduce.