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
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
The book is no 179-page weakling.
—Karen Heller, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Noun
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
The book is no 179-page weakling.
—Karen Heller, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakling
Adjective
-
Global Blue's weak February European shopper data released on March 5 did indeed work as a catalyst.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
-
Neurologists worried that the urban environment, factory work and office jobs, and other modern pressures were making men tired, indecisive, and physically weak.—
Time,
Time,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The wimps in the Republican Congress and Senate allowed this to happen.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
-
Kelly, a bit of a spice wimp, needed sips of the sweet pickle lemonade to handle the heat.—
Kelly Tyko,
Axios,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Floundering in his career and stressed about planning his wedding, Yvan’s woes compound when his oldest friends turn their insults on him, calling him a coward, an amoeba and a fan of motel art.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2025
-
That’s when one coward hit me from behind with a backpack.—
Brie Stimson , Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 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
-
The Sharks’ first goal was a gimme, a softy by Smith.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Knox is a Great Pyrenees and Labrador mix who, despite weighing 77 pounds, is considered something of a softy.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share