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

Rethink your strengths and weaknesses and aim to enforce a healthier routine. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Maybe the biggest weakness of the liberal international order is that the whole world feels the consequences of U.S. elections but has no say in them. —Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024

Finally, our adversaries, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, respect strength and exploit weakness. —Richard Stacy, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2024

Those misses, especially early, turned into fast-break opportunities for the Grizzlies – an area of weakness for the Lakers and a strength for Memphis. —Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 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