Crossword Genius

Flags, having no strong points (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

weakens

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'flags' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'no strong points' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'no' could be 'n' (common abbreviation y/n) and 'n' is present in the answer.
'points' could be 'we' and 'we' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'akes' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'having' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for weakens that I've seen is " Grows less strong".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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