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 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 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
  • San Diego is still young, especially in the back, and is learning hard MLS lessons in real time.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Early symptoms include fever, fatigue and aches in the back, hips, shoulders and thighs, the CDC said.
    Hali Smith May 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Their bond — both are outsiders who suffered abuse as children — is one of the few emotional soft spots in the otherwise fast-moving series about America’s rotten power structure, manipulative media and the gullibility of the public.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Thanks to Hunt's soft spot for benchwarmers, all entries—even the losers—will receive a bag of treats.
    Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 12 May 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 15 May. 2026.

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