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as in thin
not containing very much of some important element the coffee came out too weak because I didn't use enough ground beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and infirm. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

When is it sensible to use decrepit instead of weak?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of weak?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might fragile be a better fit than weak?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is frail a more appropriate choice than weak?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to weak?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

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 weak Extending that same concern to legal advertising—where the risks are arguably greater and the current oversight regime much weaker—would be an even greater step toward restoring trust in both the marketplace and the justice system. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Energy supermajors are being forced to confront some tough choices in a weaker crude price environment, with generous shareholder payouts expected to come under serious pressure over the coming months. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 If your Wi-Fi is protected by a weak password or uses outdated encryption, a skilled attacker might gain access without ever stepping inside your house. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025 Elsbeth is, of course, too smart for Laurel’s weak excuse and gets the killer by the end of the episode. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
Adjective
  • Women who drink 1–3 cups of green tea daily may have lower rates of weakened bones and loss of bone mass.
    Lauren Manaker MS, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
  • People with weakened immune systems are also highly vulnerable.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The actress kept the rest of her look casual and texture-focused, pairing her mary janes with a soft gray sweater featuring an oversized ruffle neckline and a raw-hem denim miniskirt.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • By cutting t-shirts into continuous strips and giving them a gentle stretch, the fabric curls into a soft, versatile yarn.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This process transformed the plastic into porous carbon powder, which was then combined with carbon black and a polymer binder to form thin electrode layers.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Dry the nuts in a thin layer, then remove the husks wearing gloves.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The influencer, who was in her 20s and had garnered over 300,000 followers on TikTok, allegedly wanted to cut ties with Choi due to his coercive instructions and unreasonable scheduling, according to the reports.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As Philadelphia gears up for hopefully a return to the playoffs in 2025-26 (although title expectations would be probably an unreasonable expectation now), the team is not being particularly precious with its previous rotational thoughts.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cheryl Harris Gates, 43, of Charlotte, is also charged with contaminating food or drink to render one mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; stalking; and damage to property.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
  • All were helpless to slow Carolina’s running game.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The festival unfolds at a particularly tenuous time for the documentary field, which for the past several years has faced a feeble acquisition market.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Cupping was quite popular among feeble white women in North America, and those same marks, Daria knew, were present on her own body, concealed beneath her loose T-shirt.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some people are screaming at the air, their pants falling off their frail frames.
    Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some older people or those who are frail may not be able to generate enough of a strong, quick breath to effectively inhale the dry powdered version of the medicine.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.
    Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 3 Sep. 2020
  • The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year.
    Paul Takahashi, Houston Chronicle, 5 June 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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