weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs How to pronounce weakness (audio)
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 After the Covid-19 pandemic revealed devastating weaknesses in global supply chains, interest in Malaysia as an additional source soared. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Vitamin B12 inactivation can lead to weakness, paresthesia or pins-and-needles sensation in the hands, and spinal cord degeneration, Dr. Varun Vorha, director of the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center, said during committee testimony on the bills. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 The Russian military’s long-term weaknesses will not matter if Ukraine is not supported this year. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 However, Haley continued to expose the former president's weaknesses with moderate voters and in swing states. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 But weakness in commercial real estate is a looming challenge for all kinds of banks, as changes in how people work following the pandemic leave many office buildings with more vacancies. Stan Choe, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Nonetheless, Haley − who served as Trump's UN ambassador − continued to expose the former president's weaknesses with moderate voters and in swing states. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Today’s results could reveal regional strengths and weaknesses for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who are all but guaranteed to clinch a 2020 election rematch. Aj Willingham, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Utah and Colorado have clear strengths and glaring weaknesses on their resumes, but nobody else is even close. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weakness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near weakness

Cite this Entry

“Weakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weakness. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

weakness

noun
weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs How to pronounce weakness (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on weakness

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