Synonyms of weak-kneed

weak-kneed

adjective

ˈwēk-ˈnēd 

as in weak

lacking strength of will or character

management is too weak-kneed to effectively enforce even a minimal dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of weak-kneed

That NextEra could rack up a string of scandals and still extract multi-billion-dollar rate hikes for FPL stems directly from weak-kneed, inept oversight by the Florida Public Service Commission. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026

But after stumbling, skier after skier tightened their boots, collected loose skis, and proceeded to do tricks that those of us at the bottom feel weak-kneed to even watch. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2026

The steadfast pushback against the administration might appear on the surface to be an encouraging trend, given the complaisance of the Republican majorities in Congress and weak-kneed capitulation to Trump by leaders of institutions such as universities and major corporations. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

Being healthy was culturally coded as being a weak-kneed liberal elite. — Matt Lewis, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026

And that’s been a problem — well, at least for discerning, weak-kneed cosmopolitan viewers like me. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025

Thankfully, the City Council, not our weak-kneed mayor, has the last say. — Peter L. Markowitz, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025

Sadly, Pope Paul VI, who succeeded John XIII, was weak-kneed, while John Paul II and Benedict XVI were conservative revanchists. — R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018