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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fault

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 weakness Family members compensate for the weaknesses, absences, or incompetence. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 17 July 2026 At the All-Star Game, Blue Jays skipper John Schneider and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were asked about the weakness of the AL compared to the behemoth of the NL. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Other symptoms included headache, chills, weakness and sleeplessness. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 17 July 2026 Any behavioral changes such as fatigue, weakness or decreased eating should be noted too. — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for weakness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness

Noun

The fever and the less intense strain often presents as a headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and fatigue.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Subscription fatigue is real and only getting worse; according to a 2023 Harvard Business School study, nearly 75% of consumer-facing companies offer some form of subscription service.

— Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

Outside of Big Tech, grocery store chain Albertsons sank 22% yesterday after reporting softness in its core business.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 July 2026
Instead of harsh, ambient light sources, designers are using accent lamps, sconces, and task lighting to add softness.

— Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Definition of softness

Noun

Again, this gap is not hospitals’ fault but the system that makes hospital stays, surgeries and emergency room visits out of reach for many Americans with limited incomes even with insurance.

— Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026
The true sickness is the conditions that so many infants endure through no fault of their own, which lead to these outcomes.

— Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, usually an avenue for around 20% of the world's LNG trade, have underscored the importance of the project and highlighted the vulnerability of global energy supplies.

— Emma Graham, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Rampant inflation and poverty fueled a wave of mass protests against the regime in January, and Israel sees the Iranian economy as one of the regime’s biggest vulnerabilities.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Noun

Punch was abandoned by his mother after his birth a year ago Sunday, presumably because of exhaustion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Rescue teams must also reach the victim and remove them from the water quickly, particularly when exhaustion, cold or rough conditions could make survival more difficult.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

This can lead to unpredictable behavior, biased algorithms and ethical shortcomings—all of which can lead to harmful outputs with the potential to badly undermine customer trust.

— Chris Dimitriadis, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Across his many novels and nonfiction books, Ghosh has been attempting to correct this shortcoming.

— Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Noun

Theories range from alien abductions to more scientific explanations like susceptibility to unexpected weather changes.

— Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
Alcohol and certain medications also raise susceptibility, including diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics and some cold and allergy remedies.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026