weakling 1 of 2

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
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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakling. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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