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 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

If testosterone levels are too low, at any age, this can lead to muscle and bone weakness, fatigue, and decline in libido.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Warning signs worth flagging to a doctor include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, severe daytime fatigue, persistent low mood, rapid heart rate and unexplained weight changes.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Definition of fatigue

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

Competing demands — for example, from illness, injury, or chronic stress — can appear not only as poor health, but also as negative conscious experiences such as anxiety, brain fog, and exhaustion.

— Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
Barrett said the goal is for the justices to have as large a security detail as those dedicated to Cabinet members, in part to avoid burnout and exhaustion among the four to eight officers typically assigned to each justice.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 14 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