Achilles' heels

plural of Achilles' heel
as in soft spots
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heels
Noun
  • Surface scratches are to be expected but avoid deep cuts and squash with any soft spots.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Their images were broadcast widely on Venezuelan television, face down with their arms tied behind their backs.
    Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • For his latest Max Mara collection, Griffiths designed many looks with bare backs demarcated with harness-like arrangements of black elastic straps.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heels. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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