WEAK Synonyms: 289 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

weak

adjective

ˈwēk

Definition of weak

as in weakened

lacking bodily strength the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in soft

lacking strength of will or character I was too weak to resist the free doughnuts in the office break room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in unreasonable

not using or following good reasoning your argument is weak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose the vice president is a relatively weak official

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 If our states’ top law enforcers do not fight this unlawful merger and reject this weak and unenforceable consent decree, who will? — Abigail Disney, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 At weaker tension, these pairs remained concentrated near the edges and oscillated. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026 In opening statements, the prosecution said recovering the gun was not necessary to getting a conviction, but the defense said its absence showed the prosecution’s case was weak. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Without the proper care, Anna Ohler, the founder of Bright Lane Gardens, explains that hibiscus flowers can lose root strength and head into spring stressed, which will result in fewer flowers and weaker growth. — Jane Kim, The Spruce, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weak

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak

Adjective

Aid groups warn more than three-quarters of Gaza’s housing stock is damaged, thousands of buildings are at risk of collapse, and residents grow especially vulnerable when winter rains seep into weakened structures.

— Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
When people use contaminated soap, bacteria can enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin and lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

— Jenna Anderson, HEALTH, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

In keeping with the brand’s spirit of generosity, the initial stock of Bali gin and Scotch whisky, beer, soft beverages such as jamu, and locally made artisanal snacks such as Krakakoa Chocolate is gratis.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Roses and a soft orange nod to the way light catches on its facades.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of soft

Adjective

When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Officials issued the alert Monday after a man shared with police an image appearing to show the dangerous reptile slithering from the thin branch of a tree onto the roof of a backyard shed.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

But several individually reasonable events, viewed together and over time, can tell an unreasonable story.

— Shahen Minasyan, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
At the outset of the Biden administration in January 2021, NASA was still targeting a 2024 lunar landing, even though this was widely seen as unreasonable.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth.

— Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
There has to be something more than this, looking feeble against a rookie lefty with average stuff followed by the worst bullpen in baseball.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of feeble

Adjective

As a result, in Lourdes the question of respecting even the most frail, sick and vulnerable is particularly acute.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Footage from recent Beach Boys shows, though, had many concerned that Love was reaching Frankie Valli levels of uncanny due to a frail voice and appearance.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of dilute

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“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of weak

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