WEAKNESS Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

weakness

noun

ˈwēk-nəs

Definition of weakness

as in fatigue

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor the flu left me with such overwhelming weakness that I could hardly stand

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as in softness

the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character in a moment of weakness he said yes to his daughter's request for a new toy

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as in fault

a defect in character his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything

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as in vulnerability

the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent the devastating weakness of the immune system that is experienced by people with certain chronic conditions

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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 weakness Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, resulting in numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 Men may also suffer from erectile dysfunction, weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, or loss of bladder or bowel control. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Any adversary who confuses media noise with American weakness will discover the truth the hard way. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 If the job market is showcasing weakness, raising interest rates to slow down the economy may be viewed as more risky. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weakness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness

Noun

That same study found users to have experienced other side effects such as nausea, flushing and fatigue.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Symptoms begin two days to two weeks after exposure and include watery diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite.

— Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

His feelings for these boys are described with a soul-baring softness, especially striking for its divergence from Ellis’s usual ruthless unsentimentality.

— Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Apricots can bring softness to your scent wardrobe, and Dior’s Jasmin des Anges does it with the utmost sophistication.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of softness

Noun

On Monday, Ha-Seong Kim, who has done little to earn the $20-million contract he was given in the offseason (by no total fault of his own because of injury), was reinstated from his rehab assignment.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Any expression of fault — a correction or apology — is the source of great embarrassment.

— Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

Developers frequently overlook critical sandbox setup, configuration, and monitoring, creating vulnerabilities that AI merely exploits.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
And Withers isn’t afraid of either vulnerability or showing a bit of himself — in terms celebrity-watchers can understand.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Noun

When leaders pour their love into the world outside and don't save any for themselves, the difference leads to exhaustion.

— Gregory Stebbins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Meganalisis said the results reflect a post-disaster mood defined by anger and emotional exhaustion.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

Causes linked to possible frailty are bucking the trend, though, with death rates from malnutrition up more than 50% from 2019.

— Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026
Experts worry that the litany of unanswered questions surrounding medical frailty will lead to more vulnerable people getting kicked out of the program.

— Isabella Cueto, STAT, 30 July 2026

Definition of frailty

Noun

While the Endangered Species Act has shortcomings, once these changes go into effect next month, even fewer protections will exist, Boyles said.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
This is a player that remains at the peak of his powers, and while Barça doesn’t have the shortcomings Real Madrid does in midfield following the departures of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, any team would be foolish to turn Rodri down.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Noun

This offers one possible explanation for teenage risk-taking behavior and susceptibility to peer influence.

— J. Todd R. Lawrence, STAT, 27 July 2026
Theories range from alien abductions to more scientific explanations like susceptibility to unexpected weather changes.

— Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026