Synonyms of weakness

weakness

noun

ˈwēk-nəs 

1

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

• fatigue
• exhaustion
• feebleness
• debility
• fragility
• faintness
• frailty
• impairment
• infirmity
• asthenia
• enervation
• debilitation
• injury
• enfeeblement
• lowness
• languor
• listlessness
• decay
• frailness
• wimpiness
• tenderness
• breakdown
• disablement
• damage
• languidness
• delicacy
• collapse
• helplessness
• impotence
• decrepitude
• powerlessness
• weariness
• softness
• prostration
• lassitude
• hurt
• harm
• invalidism
• defenselessness
• incapacitation
• impuissance
• effeteness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• vigor
• robustness
• hardiness
• vitality
• energy
• hardihood
• fitness
• virility
• toughness
• hardness
• muscularity
• huskiness
• health
• sturdiness
• ruggedness
• stoutness
• soundness
• lustiness
• wellness
• brawniness
• healthiness
• heftiness

2

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

• softness
• frailness
• corruptness
• wimpiness
• frailty
• spinelessness
• evil
• flaw
• wimpishness
• corruption
• failing
• wishy-washiness
• collapse
• foible
• peccadillo
• wickedness
• immorality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• toughness
• fortitude
• nerve
• backbone
• firmness
• mettle
• hardihood
• discipline
• resoluteness
• chutzpah
• goodness
• integrity
• morality
• moxie
• righteousness
• rightness
• self-discipline
• rectitude
• uprightness
• virtuousness

3

as in fault

a defect in character

his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fault
• shortcoming
• sin
• deficiency
• failing
• foible
• frailty
• sinfulness
• vice
• demerit
• feet of clay
• flaw
• evil
• dereliction
• imperfection
• stain
• want
• blemish
• minus
• blot
• corruption
• immorality
• soft spot
• spot
• wickedness
• nit
• depravity
• Achilles' heel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• merit
• excellence
• perfection
• integrity
• goodness
• morality
• righteousness
• rectitude
• probity

4

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

• vulnerability
• susceptibility
• sensitivity
• exposure
• defenselessness
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• proneness
• feebleness
• passivity
• frailty
• predisposition
• infirmity
• openness
• naïveté
• passiveness
• gullibility
• receptivity
• easiness
• frailness
• receptiveness
• liability
• credulity
• credulousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invulnerability
• immunity
• impenetrability
• invincibility
• indomitability
• indomitableness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of weakness

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, resulting in numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Men may also suffer from erectile dysfunction, weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, or loss of bladder or bowel control. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Any adversary who confuses media noise with American weakness will discover the truth the hard way. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

If the job market is showcasing weakness, raising interest rates to slow down the economy may be viewed as more risky. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026