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

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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 Achilles' heel of this program is the high award fees, which have increased along with fuel prices and can be $400+ for a round-trip economy award. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Starts have been the Achilles' heel for Mercedes, and especially Antonelli this season, something that was seen on Saturday morning during the Sprint. Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026 With Jesse Minter stepping in to replace the legendary John Harbaugh, the pressure is on General Manager Eric DeCosta to provide his new coach with the tools necessary to fix a unit that proved to be the team's Achilles' heel last season. Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Achilles' heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
Noun
  • Mike Norvell needs a bounce-back season in the worst way after going 7-17 the past two seasons.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • But the China demand story is mostly one of extreme preparedness rather than the world’s second-largest economy turning its back on oil.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The Current seemed to retreat deep, and the header back into the soft spot of the Current’s defense found the foot of Kristen McNabb — who was one of three unmarked Wave players around the ball.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • There tend to be soft spots in the schedule, and early weekdays are always slow, anyhow.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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