WEAKNESS Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

weakness

noun

ˈwēk-nəs

Definition of weakness

as in fatigue

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor the flu left me with such overwhelming weakness that I could hardly stand

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as in softness

the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character in a moment of weakness he said yes to his daughter's request for a new toy

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as in fault

a defect in character his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything

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as in vulnerability

the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent the devastating weakness of the immune system that is experienced by people with certain chronic conditions

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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 weakness Months later, the models were turning up weaknesses no one had spotted before. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 However, a recent Morgan Stanley survey suggests the weakness more broadly in Q2 was driven more by consumers pulling back on spending. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 The performance raises questions about whether Gamecocks exposed a weakness in the Panthers’ defense or simply presented a difficult matchup for a unit that had been dominant through the first part of the season. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 The easing of existing sanctions less than 10 days before additional sanctions are scheduled to go into effect is a sign of weakness and only will embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. — Joel R. Levin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weakness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness

Noun

Injuries and fatigue hollowed out a once-dominant roster, with Shohei Ohtani’s decision to keep pitching through pain leaving the team without its most potent hitter in October.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Chen advised supervisors facing decision fatigue to review shots within their sequences rather than obsess over individual frames.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

Dove Daily Moisture for dry hair Shannon Stubbs tested the Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner for Byrdie and praised the pair for restoring softness without stripping dry strands.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Luminous skin with refined texture and the softness of an orchid petal.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of softness

Noun

The charges come with additional special allegations, around the victim’s vulnerability and that Tapia abused a trustworthy position.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The Dodgers’ bullpen and vaunted starters also showed vulnerabilities throughout the summer.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Noun

Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Tina testified for an hour before fainting from exhaustion, returning later that day for a second round of questioning.

— Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

Outside stands a statue of an infirm John Paul II leaning on his papal staff — a reminder of the pontiffs who have been treated here, and of their earthly frailty.

— Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Pope Francis tried to change that by being upfront about his frailties and musing on his eventual death.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of frailty

Noun

By the August meeting, shortcomings in the rollout were identified.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Jenae and Shalanda walk Brittany through how our aging power grid - coupled with climate change, the strain of new technologies, and a lack of investment - exposes the systemic shortcomings that very well might leave all of us in the dark.

— October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Noun

Studies of these families have helped identify potential susceptibility genes for lung cancer and environmental risk factors.

— Estelamari Rodriguez, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, those with the highest genetic susceptibility to ADHD were found to have a 35% greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest susceptibility.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026