Entry Word: weakness

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor <the flu left me with such weakness that I could hardly stand>

Synonyms debilitation, debility, delicacy, delicateness, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity, languor, lowness

Related Words decay, decrepitude; breakdown, collapse, exhaustion, nervous breakdown, prostration; defenselessness, helplessness; softness, tenderness; disablement, incapacitation; damage, harm, hurt, impairment, injury

Near Antonyms energy, vitality; brawniness, fitness, huskiness, virility; hardness, ruggedness, stoutness, sturdiness, toughness; haleness, health, healthiness, soundness

Antonyms hardihood, hardiness, robustness, strength, vigor

2 the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character <in a moment of weakness he shoplifted the comic book>

Synonyms frailness, frailty, softness, spinelessness

Related Words collapse; failing, flaw, foibles, peccadillo; evil, immorality, wickedness; corruption, corruptness

Near Antonyms discipline, self-discipline; goodness, morality, rightness, righteousness, uprightness, virtuousness

Antonyms backbone, firmness, fortitude, mettle, resoluteness, strength

3 a defect in character <his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything> — see fault 1
4 the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent <the devastating weakness of the immune system that is experienced by people with AIDS> — see susceptibility