Weakens standards? (5)
I believe the answer is:
flags
This could be a double definition.
'weakens' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'standards?' is the second definition.
(standard is a kind of flag)
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flags that I've seen before include "Tires; national symbols" , "Droops" , "Grows languid" , "Declines" , "Standards" .)