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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 weak The pavement becomes weaker because of the crack, and as the cracks continue to grow, the heat can cause the road to warp and become a little more dangerous for drivers. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025 General Mills, the company behind Pillsbury and Progresso soups, fell 4.1% after reporting weaker revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit topped forecasts. Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 The backlash also comes amid troubling financial news for McDonald’s, which recently reported its weakest U.S. sales quarter since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025 In sum, there is a weak case, at best, for some kind of standardization of non-financial KPIs. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
Adjective
  • There is some thought that Epenesa could be an expendable player via trade ahead of final cuts, but that would leave them fairly thin given that Hoecht is suspended for the first six games and Bosa has a lengthy injury history, and already has one minor injury to his name since joining the Bills.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Solomon, 47, of Fairburn, was arraigned in federal court on June 17 on charges of using unreasonable force and obstructing justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a news release.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
  • California Department of Education officials in 2018 found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • But most unforgettable are the fantastic driving sequences and the almost casually riveting performances — with James Taylor making for a perfectly intense (and surprisingly charismatic) lead, an ideal foil for the garrulous, slightly helpless Oates.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • The emotional emptiness can feel unbearable, and the practical demands only add to the turmoil, often leaving the surviving spouse feeling lost and helpless.
    David Kudla, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Whether the result of drugs, alcohol or general hysteria, these terrifying men would enter trance-like states and charge into battle, ignoring severe injuries and collapsing into a feeble heap immediately after the fight concluded.
    Drew Gerber, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Two hotels in the East Bay have tumbled into bankruptcy ahead of scheduled foreclosures, in a fresh sign that post-coronavirus maladies still afflict the feeble lodging markets in the Bay Area.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Pottery Barn Airy Cotton Duvet Cover Crafted from 100 percent cotton, this 200-thread count duvet cover is breathable, low-maintenance, soft, and suitable for year-round use.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 26 June 2025
  • Scroll to shop the best bond-building products for every texture—stronger and softer hair ahead!
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles.
    Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013
  • However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.
    George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013
Adjective
  • It’s been reopened in chunks, thanks to the unrelenting optimism and irrational persistence of a corps of downtown residents led by Rodriguez and Rosa Chang.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 June 2025
  • On the other hand, especially given that the vote was still restricted to only a small minority of propertied men, the rise of party politics itself sharpened the age-old mistrust of popular judgment as irrational and easily swayed—especially by lies.
    Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the past, contestants have admitted to experiencing a wide range of emotions in this particularly vulnerable moment: overwhelmed, nervous, paralyzed, and yeah, even terrified.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 13 June 2025
  • Morgan learned that her husband was effectively paralyzed and unable to speak.
    David W. Brown, New Yorker, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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