1
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
2
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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3
as in fault
a defect in character
his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything
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4
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
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Recent Examples of weakness
Diphtheria symptoms include fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, change in voice, shortness of breath, weakness, or fatigue.
—
Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Possible signs of end-stage prostate cancer include urinary problems, bone pain, weakness, shortness of breath, jaundice, loss of appetite, sleep changes, and confusion.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 3 Aug. 2025
What lessons Trump learned from Cohn were entirely malevolent: Never show weakness.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
Surround yourself with people whose strengths complement your weaknesses.
—Amy Shoenthal, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakness
Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Possible signs of end-stage prostate cancer include urinary problems, bone pain, weakness, shortness of breath, jaundice, loss of appetite, sleep changes, and confusion.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 3 Aug. 2025
What lessons Trump learned from Cohn were entirely malevolent: Never show weakness.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2025
Surround yourself with people whose strengths complement your weaknesses.
—Amy Shoenthal, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness
Noun
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To be clear, however, your fatigue probably wouldn’t be isolated to mealtimes if this were the case.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
6 Aug. 2025
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From a physiological point of view, fatigue is associated with a rise in cortisol, the neuromediator that reflects our resilience to emotional or physical stress.—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Interestingly, such behavior was observed even when participants knew they were being observed or recorded, showcasing how deep-seated the self-serving bias is with regard to owning fault and accepting responsibility.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Although there is often consensus among critics of the health-care system about its numerous faults, approaching the central issue of profiting from illness is virtually avoided.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Between stress, shame, emotional disconnection, the current state of the world being challenging, and just plain exhaustion, desire can come and go.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
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The exhaustion and boredom is certainly a factor, but these books just aren’t making a strong case for themselves anymore.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The series sounds the alarm on the waning influence of traditional media and calls prominent journalists, including former New York Times writer Judith Miller, to task for reporting shortcomings.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
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Last year, the FAA's leadership under the Biden administration established a committee to examine the shortcomings of Part 450.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Regarding particle pollution, the EPA states that studies have linked exposure to a range of health effects, including respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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The chatbots’ vulnerability to manipulation, along with their susceptibility to groupthink and their inability to recognize basic facts, should alarm all of us about the growing reliance on these research tools in industry, education, and the media.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Don’t point to things with chopsticks or commit the double-dipping sin of taking food from a common plate with chopsticks that have been in your mouth.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
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The water is meant to show thanks to god, or provide spiritual relief, including purifying the devotee’s soul of sin.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
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President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.—
David Harsanyi,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2024
Noun
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If not carefully planned, ADF may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
11 Aug. 2025
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Wernicke-Korsakoff disease: This disease is caused by chronic alcohol use and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakness. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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