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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The big issue of the day was Damar Hamlin, a notable weakness when the Bills put him in for dime coverage. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 But federal auditors say weaknesses in its hiring process remain. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 Its greatest weakness may emerge at the boundary where someone asks whether the system is solving the right problem. — Julio Ottino, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026 The poll indicated that voters are frustrated over the rising cost of living, including groceries and soaring gas prices, which have exposed Republican weaknesses as Democrats are trying to win both the House and Senate. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weakness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness

Noun

But unlike actual fatigues, this is cut to drape just right in all the right places and is clean of any distressing and patches.

— Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Beyond common cold symptoms like a cough, sore throat and runny nose, people sick with COVID-19 often have body aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and/or smell.

— Ann Sheehan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

These comments were a relief to investors who may have been bracing for signs of softness and a possible guidance cut.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Ornamental grasses are a wonderful way to spruce up your lawn or add some softness and movement to your garden.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of softness

Noun

The Red Wings have had many faults the last few seasons — struggles with five-on-five scoring, a lack of physicality and an inconsistent penalty kill all near the top — but their struggles to win crucial late-season games rise above all of that.

— Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
In my opinion, the whole fault of the event was the lack of proper security.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

She’s lured to her choice by Ricki, played by Lily James, a charismatic empowerment guru who sees Rita as a mark, and her hauntedness as a source of vulnerability.

— Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
San Diego’s commitment to playing out of the back has also created one of its biggest vulnerabilities.

— Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Noun

Of all the environmental factors studied, temperature appeared to have the strongest association with responders' health outcomes, accounting for 98% of the overall association with frailty and 73% of the association with PTSD symptoms.

— Ava Tsapatsaris, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
But one to keep an eye on — because it’s linked to serious complications such as frailty, falls and fractures — is sarcopenia.

— Sarah Klein, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of frailty

Noun

Based on those numbers, critics generally approved of the season's direction more than the audience did, yet prominent progressive reviewers still found new ideological shortcomings to condemn.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Such a file contains objective personnel data as well as observable assessments of a cadre’s political shortcomings.

— ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Noun

Operation Spider’s Web was a spectacular success for Ukrainian forces—and a chilling reminder of the United States’ susceptibility to a similar attack.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
More fertilizer will likely bring about a higher quality lawn, but along with that carpet-like appearance comes higher water demands, more mowing, and in some cases, a greater susceptibility to pests and diseases.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026