Achilles' heel

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 For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 This is the Achilles' heel of countless companies, as IT management and employee management must increasingly be considered holistically. Dennis-Kenji Kipker, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The Republicans' Achilles' heel The new Achilles' heel for the GOP is spring court elections, which have become highly partisan and politically consequential. Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025 In Apple's case, solid-state drives have sometimes been an Achilles' heel. Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 10 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
Noun
  • On the back is the galaxy, an atom is at the top, while an electron circles Hadjar’s racing number (6).
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The sow hit the barrel with her chin, the force of her momentum knocking Duane on his back.
    Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Over the next few days, the eggplants sat in my crisper drawer, soft spots spreading across their skin like bruises.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Yet there is a soft spot in many partnerships.
    Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025

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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 17 Oct. 2025.

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