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

Any signs of internal weakness represent an opportunity for the opposition. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

This comes as investors are anxious about how his retaliatory tariffs will affect the broader U.S. economy, which is already showing some signs of weakness. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

Management is implementing measures to address these weaknesses. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

Fashion chains attributed some of that weakness to cold weather and were clearly crossing their fingers and hoping the trend changed with the weather. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for weakness

• bleakness
• meekness
• uniqueness

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