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

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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 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
  • Lubesnik’s boss is one of those suits who hates loose cannons and talks about city hall being on his back.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Colmenarez said during his detention on April 16, 2013, he was forced to kneel down and place his head between his legs while the officers hit his back and neck, kicking and stepping on him with their military boots.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And suddenly, somehow, the Olympics became her soft spot, the site of crippling vulnerability.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Many were surprised when the chicken salad sandwich was taken off the menu in 2017, primarily because so many people have a longtime soft spot for the unique cold-spread sandwich.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.

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