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

• asthenia
• debilitation
• debility
• delicacy
• enervation
• enfeeblement
• faintness
• feebleness
• fragility
• frailness
• frailty
• infirmity
• languidness
• languor
• listlessness
• lowness
• wimpiness

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

Frank is committed to improving players’ strengths and weaknesses, and this is an area that could facilitate Tel’s development. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025

The pair argues that Europe risks falling behind not due to a lack of technical capability but because of structural market weaknesses. —ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025

Those two factors—economic weakness but dollar strength—could push the Fed to make the interest rate cuts that Trump wants. —Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025

But without Vandersloot, facilitating guards such as Van Lith and Atkins will be on the front lines of navigating out of the weakness. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025

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