weak

adjective

ˈwēk How to pronounce weak (audio)
Definition of weaknext
1
as in weakened
lacking bodily strength the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unreasonable
not using or following good reasoning your argument is weak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose the vice president is a relatively weak official

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Always an adept director of actors, Donzelli coaxes a good turn out of Bouillon (Leave One Day), who plays a man with strong principles but pretty weak strategies about how to enact them. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025 Sahm warned that if tariffs and weak job growth persist, today’s resilience could turn into tomorrow’s retrenchment. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025 Some forecast models suggest additional stratospheric warming in mid-September, raising the likelihood of a weaker vortex and potential early-season cold snaps in parts of Europe and North America, Pastelok said. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 Despite these efforts, economic conditions and weak demand for domestic leisure travel pose challenges. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
  1. weakened
  2. soft
  3. thin
  4. unreasonable
  5. helpless
  6. feeble
  7. frail
  8. dilute
Adjective
  • Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soft.
    — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Bring a portable speaker for soft music but keep the volume low to respect others.
    — Emma Caldwell, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • 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.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Pair the duo with fairy lights, a thin linen runner, and more faux foliage to create a stunning seasonal scene.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • The Justice Department in its June 2024 report on problems with policing in Phoenix found that police delayed medical assistance to people who appeared to be incapacitated as a result of the use of force by officers and used unreasonable force on people who had already been wounded by officers.
    — Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Investors had initially feared that ASDA’s undercuts would lead to market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury’s having to lower prices to an unreasonable point in order to maintain their market shares.
    — John Choong, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of unreasonable
Adjective
  • This burden of additional responsibilities and emotional labor with less resources lead many women to feel helpless, leaving divorce as the only escape.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.
    — Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • The feeble report all but confirms a Fed interest rate cut later this month and raises at least the possibility of a half point – rather than a typical quarter point - reduction, Saunders said.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Valkyries have sold out each of their 18 home games this season, 18,064 packing out Chase Center regardless of how mighty or feeble the opposition is.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of feeble
Adjective
  • After Arsenal took advantage of a frail Bayindir to score from yet another set piece, Raya stood strong to repel the hosts.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of frail
Adjective
  • For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.
    — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 3 Sep. 2020
  • The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year.
    — Paul Takahashi, Houston Chronicle, 5 June 2018
Definition of dilute

Browse Nearby Words

waywardness
weak
weaken
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on weak

Nglish: Translation of weak for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Plant Names That Sound Like Insults

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All