fragilizar

Senses

1. 1.

   to weaken, to make fragile

   to cause something to become weaker or more fragile physically or structurally

2. 2.

   to undermine, to weaken

   to make a position, argument, or institution less strong or stable

3. 3.

   to make vulnerable

   to leave someone or something in a vulnerable or defenseless state

Examples

• "A crise econômica fragilizou o governo."

  The economic crisis weakened the government.

• "Essas críticas podem fragilizar a sua posição na empresa."

  These criticisms could undermine your position in the company.

• "A falta de investimento fragilizou o sistema de saúde."

  The lack of investment weakened the healthcare system.

Usage

Common in formal and journalistic registers, especially in political and economic contexts. Often used with abstract nouns (governo, economia, democracia, instituições). The reflexive form "fragilizar-se" means "to become weakened/vulnerable."