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 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 Other incumbents plagued by convention weakness Carter was far from being the first incumbent to lose reelection after a rocky re-nomination convention. Ron Elving, NPR, 3 Mar. 2024 Biden’s yearlong refusal to visit the site of the Norfolk Southern train wreck was a reminder of general aloofness and weakness with working-class voters. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024 What was the strength of a top-10 defense could quickly turn into a weakness in 2024, which makes retaining — and retooling — the pass rush among the priorities for the Dolphins this offseason. Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 Given how well Oklahoma City is playing, the last 24 games of the season can be used to fine-tune rotations and address any weaknesses before the playoffs begin. Nick Crain, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 More importantly, Gemini’s problems show the weaknesses of today’s AI models and our ideas about how to put guardrails around them. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 27 Feb. 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 19 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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