Achilles' heel

Definition of Achilles' heelnext
as in back
a vulnerable point the food supply proved to be the nation's Achilles' heel in its defense against terrorist attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of Achilles' heel The very thing that makes open source so powerful—its speed and accessibility—is also its Achilles' heel. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 The Democrats' Achilles' heel Which brings us to the Achilles' heel for Democrats. Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
Noun
  • Then Evans made another 3, prompting Pitino to turn his back in apparent disbelief.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Way back in 2018, Gaines and Riley were running split-back formations and leaving opposing defenses bamboozled while playing for the 12-and-under Moreno Valley Falcons in the heart of Southern California.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Kellner pokes a ball into the soft spot in left-center, scoring two runs.
    Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heel. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster