Achilles' heels

Definition of Achilles' heelsnext
plural of Achilles' heel
as in soft spots
a vulnerable point the food supply proved to be the nation's Achilles' heel in its defense against terrorist attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heels
Noun
  • Watch for soft spots on floors, uneven or sloping flooring, cracks in walls and warped materials.
    Ryan Brennan May 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • Just make sure to choose cucumbers that are firm and bright without any soft spots so the finished product tastes its absolute best.
    Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • An exceptional head coach and an exciting quarterback, with the wind at their backs, racing toward a relatively breezy schedule?
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
  • Rogers was banged up in the spring, like most of the other running backs.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 1 May 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heels. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster