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 The severe strain of the virus often presents as a fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, or paralysis. — Mary Ella Hastings july 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026 One standout group within technology on Friday is software — not exactly a surprise considering the weakness in hardware. — Kevin Stankiewicz,natasha Abellard,jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 July 2026 His critics liked to point out that the team’s weaknesses were partly his own doing, a consequence of his demands. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 The doughnut hole is one weakness, but every plan has its shortcomings. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 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

Preserving muscle strength through life appears to protect cells against age acceleration, not just prevent frailty.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
But these glimpses of frailty at home betray a Bankova presidential headquarters where bad decisions – against corruption and Fedorov – are made quickly, and then slowly unpicked after popular pressure.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of frailty

Noun

In response to these shortcomings, innovative tech companies are now taking a active, airborne approach to pest control by deploying tiny air-to-air killer drones directly into the skies to hunt down and eliminate these deadly insects.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
But the design has always had real shortcomings—the most noticeable and serious being its mediocre battery life.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 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