as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
management is too weak-kneed to effectively enforce even a minimal dress code
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Recent Examples of weak-kneed
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
Despite the bleak picture painted by Democrats and weak-kneed RINOs that Trump wanted poor people to just die and be done with it, there were reasonable explanations for all the budget changes that had nothing to do with genocide.
—Frank Miele, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
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
Someone who, when in command, commands — and isn’t a weak-kneed politician.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
Her yes left her weak-kneed in a more swoony kind of way.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
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
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
Despite the bleak picture painted by Democrats and weak-kneed RINOs that Trump wanted poor people to just die and be done with it, there were reasonable explanations for all the budget changes that had nothing to do with genocide.
—Frank Miele, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
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
Someone who, when in command, commands — and isn’t a weak-kneed politician.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
Her yes left her weak-kneed in a more swoony kind of way.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak-kneed
Adjective
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Free agency is weak, so the best bet will be the trade market.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The original vision of the Accords – of a rapidly expanding regional bloc openly aligned with Israel and integrated economically across the Middle East – has become a significantly weaker prospect.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable groups, like children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The illness primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns, but can in some cases affect people outside of these groups, per FSIS.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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For her latest appearance on the red carpet, Riley Keough was drawn to something softer.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
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For instance, as my soft secondaries and the receivers who’ll benefit most from them in fantasy football article detailed, this system grades a defensive back who allows a low yards per attempt (YPA) total but a high PPR fantasy points per game (FPPG) total as a favorable matchup.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weak-kneed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak-kneed. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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