Synonyms of weak

weak

adjective

ˈwēk 

1

as in weakened

lacking bodily strength

the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakened
• feeble
• frail
• disabled
• faint
• enfeebled
• debilitated
• wimpy
• soft
• paralyzed
• slight
• infirm
• vulnerable
• low
• tired
• softened
• wasted
• exhausted
• asthenic
• unsubstantial
• injured
• languid
• fragile
• incapacitated
• delicate
• prostrate
• down-and-out
• wimpish
• effete
• weary
• enervated
• sapped
• tender
• challenged
• invalid
• prostrated
• unsteady
• powerless
• drained
• damaged
• impotent
• dizzy
• decrepit
• flimsy
• susceptible
• hurt
• lame
• impaired
• rocky
• breakable
• groggy
• woozy
• broken-down
• flagging
• unsound
• yielding
• harmed
• worn-out
• unresistant
• resistless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• powerful
• mighty
• stout
• muscular
• rugged
• tough
• athletic
• stalwart
• robust
• hard
• virile
• sturdy
• beefy
• fit
• brawny
• hardy
• sinewy
• husky
• strengthened
• lusty
• hardened
• vigorous
• able-bodied
• energetic
• fortified
• healthy
• sound
• capable
• competent
• energized
• strapping
• toughened
• hale
• recovering
• red-blooded
• inured
• invigorated
• vitalized
• convalescing
• recuperating

2

as in soft

lacking strength of will or character

I was too weak to resist the free doughnuts in the office break room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakened
• soft
• frail
• meek
• corrupt
• timid
• wimpy
• spineless
• wet
• wimpish
• nerveless
• characterless
• weakling
• invertebrate
• weak-kneed
• effete
• milk-and-water
• wishy-washy
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• flabby
• limp-wristed
• powerless
• flaccid
• impotent
• namby-pamby
• craven
• forceless
• villainous
• emasculated
• submissive
• unnerved
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• pliable
• pusillanimous
• cowardly
• lamblike
• infirm
• irresolute
• dastardly
• impuissant
• sissy
• fainthearted
• vacillating
• nebbishy
• lily-livered
• poltroon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• tough
• hard
• good
• firm
• moral
• right
• virtuous
• righteous
• ethical
• upright
• principled
• backboned
• resolute
• unrelenting
• determined
• courageous
• stalwart
• mettlesome
• stouthearted

3

as in thin

not containing very much of some important element

the coffee came out too weak because I didn't use enough ground beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thin
• dilute
• diluted
• thinned
• weakened
• washy
• watery
• adulterated
• watered-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• rich
• fortified
• enriched
• concentrated
• full-bodied
• condensed
• evaporated

4

as in unreasonable

not using or following good reasoning

your argument is weak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unreasonable
• irrational
• unreasoning
• illegitimate
• misleading
• foolish
• unreasoned
• illogical
• invalid
• absurd
• silly
• fallacious
• inconsistent
• unsound
• inconsequential
• weird
• nonrational
• inconsequent
• meaningless
• unusual
• odd
• strange
• specious
• misguided
• sophistical
• insane
• random
• sophistic
• disorganized
• unconvincing
• eristical
• disordered
• unconsidered
• mad
• nonsensical
• asinine
• surreal
• inexplicable
• ill-advised
• eristic
• half-baked
• unaccountable
• nutty
• whacky
• peculiar
• preposterous
• senseless
• unexplainable
• wacky
• rambling
• reasonless
• Kafkaesque

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• valid
• logical
• sound
• rational
• wise
• sensible
• sane
• solid
• sober
• justified
• enlightened
• just
• reasoned
• clear
• informed
• well-founded
• convincing
• certain
• compelling
• well-grounded
• plausible
• persuasive
• true
• organized
• satisfying
• credible
• sure
• commonsense
• ordered
• demonstrated
• cogent
• confirmed
• established
• validated
• substantiated
• corroborated

5

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose

the vice president is a relatively weak official

Synonyms & Similar Words

• helpless
• paralyzed
• incompetent
• powerless
• impotent
• passive
• high and dry
• incapable
• feeble
• useless
• ineffective
• unfit
• handcuffed
• ineffectual
• hamstrung
• impuissant
• hog-tied
• infirm
• inept
• spineless
• frail
• supine
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• powerful
• mighty
• effective
• able
• capable
• potent
• efficient
• competent
• dominant
• important
• authoritarian
• tyrannical
• dynamic
• despotic
• autocratic
• robust
• tough
• dictatorial
• vigorous
• sturdy
• major
• puissant
• energetic
• forceful
• significant
• magisterial
• tyrannic
• senior
• autocratical
• top
• high-level

Try This Instead

For

Try This

a weak position

a vulnerable position

a susceptible position

an insecure position

a fragile position

a poor position

a weak economy

a feeble economy

a vulnerable economy

a fragile economy

an unstable economy

a frail economy

weak signals

poor signals

poor-quality signals

unreliable signals

insufficient signals

inadequate signals

a weak solution

an inconsistent solution

an inadequate solution

an ineffectual solution

a faulty solution

a deficient solution

a weak smile

a feeble smile

a pathetic smile

a faint smile

a limp smile

an unconvincing smile

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and infirm. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

When is it sensible to use decrepit instead of weak?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of weak?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might fragile be a better fit than weak?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is frail a more appropriate choice than weak?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to weak?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of weak

Weak Treasury Demand Moved Rates More recently, in the wake of the administration’s chaotic trade policy rollout, Treasury security auctions did not go as expected, with weak demand pushing rates up higher than everyone expected. —Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Iran was at its weakest point since the 1980s, maybe since the Iranian revolution in 1979. —Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025

That’s why he’s been able to generate so much weak contact over the years. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

Either way, the key takeaway is this: Don’t settle for weak or recycled passwords. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025