weakling 1 of 2

Definition of weaklingnext

weakling

2 of 2

noun

1
as in wimp
a person lacking in physical strength he had been a weakling until high school, when he started working out to put on muscle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Noun
Last year, Paramount, which owns CBS Sports, looked like a weakling compared to its competitors. Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025 Separating the weakling from the herd only heightened their fear. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 The sign Scorpio isn’t known to be a weakling, nor is Tyrannosaurus. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 2 July 2025 Based on this challenge, the groups would have been weaklings Cedrek, Star, Chrissy, Sai, Kamilla, and Mary in one group and Eva, Joe, Mitch, Kyle, David, and Shauhin in the strongman group. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weakling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakling
Adjective
  • Free agency is weak, so the best bet will be the trade market.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The original vision of the Accords – of a rapidly expanding regional bloc openly aligned with Israel and integrated economically across the Middle East – has become a significantly weaker prospect.
    Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • What unites these movements is a shared contempt for the moderate, who is dismissed as cowardly, unprincipled, or insincere: wimps who inexplicably hate winning.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Advertisement Similarly, no one is going to think Mullin is a wimp.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country.
    Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 13 May 2026
  • And Trump calls ’em almost like cowards.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • However, some with weakened immune systems or certain conditions may have their immunity wane over time.
    Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 19 May 2026
  • Salmonella is a group of bacteria that, when consumed in food or water, can cause serious and fatal infections in children, elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Henry is a megalomaniac and a complete wuss.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakling. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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