weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being weak

also : an instance or period of being weak

backed down in a moment of weakness

2

: fault, defect

3

a

: a special desire or fondness

has a weakness for sweets

b

: an object of special desire or fondness

pizza is my weakness

Synonyms

• asthenia
• debilitation
• debility
• delicacy
• enervation
• enfeeblement
• faintness
• feebleness
• fragility
• frailness
• frailty
• infirmity
• languidness
• languor
• listlessness
• lowness
• wimpiness

Examples of weakness in a Sentence

The weakness of her voice surprised me.

The incident exposed his weakness as a leader.

Some see compromise as a sign of weakness.

the weakness of a radio signal connection

the weakness of the dollar

I told them my secret in a moment of weakness.

The tutor assessed the student's strengths and weaknesses.

The basketball team has few weaknesses.

Chocolate is my greatest weakness.

He has a weakness for desserts.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new election calculus has an element of weakness vs. weakness. —Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 16 July 2024

Valenzuela urged artists to experiment with AI tools—to discover what their strengths and weaknesses are—and not to dismiss them out of hand. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 16 July 2024

Former President Donald Trump is very cognizant of our enemies by studying their strengths and weaknesses. —Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2024

The former continues to be one of Biden’s biggest weaknesses in reelection, while the latter has stalled out for years. —Matt Fleming, Orange County Register, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being weak

2

: a weak point : fault, defect

a person with few weaknesses

3

a

: a special desire or fondness

has a weakness for chocolate

b

: an object of special desire or fondness

movies are my weakness