as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
argues that in a time of war, the country can't afford to have a weakling president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in coward
a person without strength of character
only a weakling would be willing to lie to save himself from punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 weakling
Neil Winton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
What cinches this daring perspective is actor Andrew Scott’s phenomenal characterization as a weakling who grapples with gradual self-awareness.
—Armond White, National Review, 29 Dec. 2023
But in a call with Mr. Licht after the meeting, Mr. Zaslav belittled Mr. Zucker as a weakling who had tears in his eyes, several people with knowledge of the conversation said.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
One is the election of Trump, whose frivolousness about national security compliments his weakling's admiration for a bully.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Noun
In Europe the obvious weaklings are Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and DS.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
What cinches this daring perspective is actor Andrew Scott’s phenomenal characterization as a weakling who grapples with gradual self-awareness.
—Armond White, National Review, 29 Dec. 2023
But in a call with Mr. Licht after the meeting, Mr. Zaslav belittled Mr. Zucker as a weakling who had tears in his eyes, several people with knowledge of the conversation said.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
One is the election of Trump, whose frivolousness about national security compliments his weakling's admiration for a bully.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakling
Adjective
-
But options for changing that are weak.—
Alan J. Borsuk,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, molecules simply bounce around and lose energy, resulting in relatively weak conduction.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Wes Siler, our longtime outdoor lifestyle columnist, is a total wimp who obsessively pursues comfort in extreme environments.—
Wes Siler,
Outside,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The opposite of a wimp is a Superman, the comic book creation of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Schuster.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
According to Boxing called Davis a coward for his decision.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Of the two sisters in the yellow house, Paula is a much gentler girl, a wuss, a baby, the biggest chicken—that’s how her sister thinks of her—and Rhonda is the boss.—
Alex Mar,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2023
-
Teach, who carries a gun, is a wuss about the rain.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2022
Noun
-
Jamie would probably cry over this; that highlander is a softy.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Who knew the Roastmaster General was such a softy?—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share