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
  • Mullett says her injuries included a broken back, a broken left leg, a shattered pelvis and head trauma.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Freeman walked over and gifted KK a jersey with his number and her name on the back.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Players who serve as captains, leaders or prove their ball-loving background by playing through injuries have long owned a soft spot in the Bengals’ drafting heart.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Signs such as cracks in the foundation or holes from soft spots in the walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs that moisture has been sitting in your home for a while and turned into mold.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 31 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 19 Apr. 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