weak sister
noun
: a member of a group who needs aid
also
: something weak and ineffective as compared with others in a group
Examples of weak sister in a Sentence
The company is no longer a weak sister among auto producers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyone who did sit up and take notice realized the Tigers were weak sisters.
—
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024
In Seven Days in May, the president is clearly a weak sister who does not trust the military, and vice versa.
—Mackubin Thomas Owens, National Review, 10 Aug. 2021
After the Civil War and the advent of metallic cartridges, the Navy was often converted to use the .38 Short Colt cartridge, which was a similarly weak sister.
—David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 10 June 2020
Remember, retinol is the weaker sister to the prescription-grade retinoids, and the prescription-grade retinoids are the ones that are clinically proven to show the best results on skin.
—Michele Corriston, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024
In Seven Days in May, the president is clearly a weak sister who does not trust the military, and vice versa.
—Mackubin Thomas Owens, National Review, 10 Aug. 2021
After the Civil War and the advent of metallic cartridges, the Navy was often converted to use the .38 Short Colt cartridge, which was a similarly weak sister.
—David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 10 June 2020
Remember, retinol is the weaker sister to the prescription-grade retinoids, and the prescription-grade retinoids are the ones that are clinically proven to show the best results on skin.
—Michele Corriston, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Weak sister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weak%20sister. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share