as in back
a vulnerable point
the food supply proved to be the nation's Achilles' heel in its defense against terrorist attacks
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Recent Examples of Achilles' heel
The very thing that makes open source so powerful—its speed and accessibility—is also its Achilles' heel.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron.
—Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Democrats' Achilles' heel Which brings us to the Achilles' heel for Democrats.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron.
—Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Democrats' Achilles' heel Which brings us to the Achilles' heel for Democrats.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
Noun
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The bowl-back, thanks to its shape, produces a greater number of high partial harmonics that give it a distinctive, delicate tone preferred by most players of classical music.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Greene made the catch, and Meadows landed on his back in a daze, barely moving with his hands pointed up and blood on his face.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Signs such as cracks in the foundation or holes from soft spots in the walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs that moisture has been sitting in your home for a while and turned into mold.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
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Those with a soft spot for Tory’s dresses will find a variety of enduring options fit for any of the season’s see-and-be-seen scenarios.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heel. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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