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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The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Mar. 2026
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Lessons from gold and small-caps The recent spike in oil prices has not resulted in spectacular gains for gold investors fueled by a weaker dollar, as was the case in 1973.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the Iranian regime survives in weakened form, Beijing will likely calibrate limited, deniable support while avoiding overcommitment.—
John Calabrese,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
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While most people recover fairly quickly from HMPV, people with weakened immune system or other medical conditions, or who are very young or old, are more likely to suffer serious illness, the Mayo Clinic said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The team created a soft hydrogel made from chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer found in the shells of crustaceans.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
If emotions surge, pause to write thoughts before speaking, then return with a softer tone so both sides feel heard and respected.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weak-kneed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak-kneed. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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