weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being weak

also : an instance or period of being weak

backed down in a moment of weakness

2

: fault, defect

3

a

: a special desire or fondness

has a weakness for sweets

b

: an object of special desire or fondness

pizza is my weakness

Synonyms of weakness

• fatigue
• exhaustion
• feebleness
• debility
• fragility
• faintness
• frailty
• impairment
• infirmity
• asthenia
• enervation
• debilitation
• injury
• enfeeblement
• lowness
• languor
• listlessness

Examples of weakness in a Sentence

The weakness of her voice surprised me.

The incident exposed his weakness as a leader.

Some see compromise as a sign of weakness.

the weakness of a radio signal connection

the weakness of the dollar

I told them my secret in a moment of weakness.

The tutor assessed the student's strengths and weaknesses.

The basketball team has few weaknesses.

Chocolate is my greatest weakness.

He has a weakness for desserts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ayala Land is shoring up funds and conserving capital amid a weakness in the residential property market as the ongoing Iran war has tempered consumer spending and slowed economic growth. — Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

With heat exhaustion, a person's body temperature may top 101 degrees Fahrenheit, along with symptoms like heavy sweating; cold, pale, clammy skin; tiredness or weakness; muscle cramps; dizziness; nausea or vomiting, and more. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

The company’s engineering team found that the defect was tied to a design weakness. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

The show’s significant weaknesses, then, seem all the more tragic. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for weakness

• bleakness
• meekness
• uniqueness

Kids Definition

weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being weak

2

: a weak point : fault, defect

a person with few weaknesses

3

a

: a special desire or fondness

has a weakness for chocolate

b

: an object of special desire or fondness

movies are my weakness