Definition of weaknext
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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

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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 Rust can also cause handles and rivets to become loose or weak over time. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 June 2026 Specifically, the campaign, which also purportedly contradicted national vaccine recommendations in several EU member states, suggested the evidence for using the CSL vaccine was weaker than for using the Sanofi vaccine. Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 June 2026 Weekends have long been a ratings weak spot for MS NOW, which while a distant second to Fox News, has seen audience growth in 2026 and remains ahead of CNN. Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The letter is silent on Fable 5, a weaker version of Mythos that was briefly the most powerful AI model widely available to consumers. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
Adjective
  • And while Creger still thought the bill was positive, she was disappointed to see the weakened language around adding lanes to highways.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • The weakened plants are more susceptible to insects and disease pests.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas.
    Mack Baysinger Follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
    Justin Brown, AJC.com, 27 June 2026
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.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
  • Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to the Aspen Institute, Norwegian leagues don’t keep score or track standings until the kids are 11 years old, which goes a long way toward eliminating many of the unreasonable pressures that developing athletes often experience in more hyper-competitive environments.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
  • Luca thinks Marcus is being unreasonable by adding a new ingredient to their dessert at the last minute and by asking Chester to run an errand in awful conditions.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • But when his son Naseer was born in May 2025, Ajas Ahmed had never felt so helpless.
    Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 21 June 2026
  • Over the course of a 60-yard run, Maradona danced past opponents, escaped challenges and left English defenders helpless before beating the goalkeeper with a clinical finish.
    Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Jolted by a feeble office market, a growing number of developers are considering ways to convert their office properties to other uses, such as housing projects.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
  • Enervated cuteness and tryhard sincerity define a whole new wave of musicians, from Pittsburgh rockers feeble little horse to cringe-pop upcycler Worldpeace DMT to SoundCloud producer MASSI, whose songs spill with the tiny adorable detail of a toy train set.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • But the job market in California remains frail, said Michael Bernick, an employment attorney with law firm Duane Morris and a former director of the state EDD.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • But dwarf galaxies are smaller and colder, with more dilute and slower-moving matter.
    Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
  • Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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