Synonyms of weaknessnext
1
: the quality or state of being weak
also : an instance or period of being weak
backed down in a moment of weakness
2
3
a
: a special desire or fondness
has a weakness for sweets
b
: an object of special desire or fondness
pizza is my weakness

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
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.
Some programs use non-conference play to stack wins, while the more competitive programs use non-conference games as an opportunity to find potential weaknesses. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 JPMorgan upgrades Graphic Packaging to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said buy the weakness. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 If your value proposition is weak, optimization should expose that weakness rather than hide it. — Margareta Petrovic, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Traffic burdens residents daily, and heavy rain keeps exposing the same stormwater weaknesses. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weakness

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of weakness was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Weakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weakness. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
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