Synonyms of weak

weak

adjective

ˈwēk 

1

as in weakened

lacking bodily strength

the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakened
• feeble
• frail
• disabled
• faint
• enfeebled
• debilitated
• wimpy
• soft
• paralyzed
• slight
• infirm
• vulnerable
• low
• tired
• softened
• wasted
• exhausted
• asthenic
• unsubstantial
• injured
• languid
• fragile
• incapacitated
• delicate
• prostrate
• down-and-out
• wimpish
• effete
• weary
• enervated
• sapped
• tender
• challenged
• invalid
• prostrated
• unsteady
• powerless
• drained
• damaged
• impotent
• dizzy
• decrepit
• flimsy
• susceptible
• hurt
• lame
• impaired
• rocky
• breakable
• groggy
• woozy
• broken-down
• flagging
• unsound
• yielding
• harmed
• worn-out
• unresistant
• resistless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• powerful
• mighty
• stout
• muscular
• rugged
• tough
• athletic
• stalwart
• robust
• hard
• virile
• sturdy
• beefy
• fit
• brawny
• hardy
• sinewy
• husky
• strengthened
• lusty
• hardened
• vigorous
• able-bodied
• energetic
• fortified
• healthy
• sound
• capable
• competent
• energized
• strapping
• toughened
• hale
• recovering
• red-blooded
• inured
• invigorated
• vitalized
• convalescing
• recuperating

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

• thin
• dilute
• diluted
• thinned
• weakened
• washy
• watery
• adulterated
• watered-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• rich
• fortified
• enriched
• concentrated
• full-bodied
• condensed
• evaporated

4

as in unreasonable

not using or following good reasoning

your argument is weak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unreasonable
• irrational
• unreasoning
• illegitimate
• misleading
• foolish
• unreasoned
• illogical
• invalid
• absurd
• silly
• fallacious
• inconsistent
• unsound
• inconsequential
• weird
• nonrational
• inconsequent
• meaningless
• unusual
• odd
• strange
• specious
• misguided
• sophistical
• insane
• random
• sophistic
• disorganized
• unconvincing
• eristical
• disordered
• unconsidered
• mad
• nonsensical
• asinine
• surreal
• inexplicable
• ill-advised
• eristic
• half-baked
• unaccountable
• nutty
• whacky
• peculiar
• preposterous
• senseless
• unexplainable
• wacky
• rambling
• reasonless
• Kafkaesque

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• valid
• logical
• sound
• rational
• wise
• sensible
• sane
• solid
• sober
• justified
• enlightened
• just
• reasoned
• clear
• informed
• well-founded
• convincing
• certain
• compelling
• well-grounded
• plausible
• persuasive
• true
• organized
• satisfying
• credible
• sure
• commonsense
• ordered
• demonstrated
• cogent
• confirmed
• established
• validated
• substantiated
• corroborated

5

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose

the vice president is a relatively weak official

Synonyms & Similar Words

• helpless
• paralyzed
• incompetent
• powerless
• impotent
• passive
• high and dry
• incapable
• feeble
• useless
• ineffective
• unfit
• handcuffed
• ineffectual
• hamstrung
• impuissant
• hog-tied
• infirm
• inept
• spineless
• frail
• supine
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• powerful
• mighty
• effective
• able
• capable
• potent
• efficient
• competent
• dominant
• important
• authoritarian
• tyrannical
• dynamic
• despotic
• autocratic
• robust
• tough
• dictatorial
• vigorous
• sturdy
• major
• puissant
• energetic
• forceful
• significant
• magisterial
• tyrannic
• senior
• autocratical
• top
• high-level

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For

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a weak position

a vulnerable position

a susceptible position

an insecure position

a fragile position

a poor position

a weak economy

a feeble economy

a vulnerable economy

a fragile economy

an unstable economy

a frail economy

weak signals

poor signals

poor-quality signals

unreliable signals

insufficient signals

inadequate signals

a weak solution

an inconsistent solution

an inadequate solution

an ineffectual solution

a faulty solution

a deficient solution

a weak smile

a feeble smile

a pathetic smile

a faint smile

a limp smile

an unconvincing smile

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

Recent Examples of weak

Sales have been weaker in many of the discretionary categories that the retailer is known for, such as home decor, as consumers are selective and cautious about spending. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 21 May 2025

Mathieson suspects that many genetic variants have been subject to only weak or fleeting selection without much lasting effect. —Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

The report also included a number of ‘weak’ odor sources observed during the study, including odors emanating from the Curaleaf cannabis facility on Britt Road and Goldflower Cannabis facility on Niles Road. —James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025

Thompson’s brother Maurice, who allegedly drove the chasing Chevrolet Equinox, was granted bail in October — indicating a potentially weak case. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025