Achilles' heel

as in back
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

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 Achilles' heel Robert's minimal offensive production has been the Achilles' heel for any trade. Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 The Republicans' Achilles' heel The new Achilles' heel for the GOP is spring court elections, which have become highly partisan and politically consequential. Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025 In Apple's case, solid-state drives have sometimes been an Achilles' heel. Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 10 June 2025 The imbalance is an Achilles' heel for Washington, which sees dependence on its top military rival as a national security threat. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 The Red Storm have one of the best draws of the tournament and have improved their 3-point shooting drastically, which was an Achilles' heel early on. Vaughn Dalzell, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025 While cardio isn't an Achilles' heel for Pantoja, there may be no one in the history of the sport with a deeper gas tank than Dvalishvili. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Now, historically, the Achilles' heel of our system has to do with foreign banks, because when an American puts a bank deposit with a foreign bank, there's no withholding and there's no reporting. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 An old Achilles' heel still hobbling Falcons' defense: 5 factors ACC’s middle class holds the key to reversing its negative hoops narrative Padres at Dodgers Game 5 odds, projections, schedule: Do or die with an NLCS spot on the line Who has edge for Canada's 4 Nations net? New York Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
Noun
  • In addition, some vehicles only have to display a back plate, like historic vehicles and motorcycles.
    Eleanor Nash July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
  • Collier, who missed the last two games with lower back soreness, came up clutch late.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, there is a chance the feline has a soft spot for the woman's roomie.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Her husband had always had a soft spot for yams and was glad for the sudden bounty.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heel. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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