WEAK Synonyms: 291 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'weak' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit , feeble , fragile , frail , and infirm . While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort. // felt weak after the surgery

Q: When is it sensible to use 'decrepit' instead of 'weak'?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age. // the dowager's decrepit retainers

Q: In what contexts can 'feeble' take the place of 'weak'?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt. // a feeble attempt to walk

Q: When might 'fragile' be a better fit than 'weak'?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak , fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage. // a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

Q: When is 'frail' a more appropriate choice than 'weak'?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure. // a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Q: Where would 'infirm' be a reasonable alternative to 'weak'?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness. // infirm residents requiring constant care

weak

adjective

ˈwēk

Definition of weak next

as in weakened

lacking bodily strength the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in soft

lacking strength of will or character I was too weak to resist the free doughnuts in the office break room

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as in thin

not containing very much of some important element the coffee came out too weak because I didn't use enough ground beans

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as in unreasonable

not using or following good reasoning your argument is weak

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as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose the vice president is a relatively weak official

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a weak position

a vulnerable position

a susceptible position

an insecure position

a fragile position

a poor position

a weak economy

a feeble economy

a vulnerable economy

a fragile economy

an unstable economy

a frail economy

weak signals

poor signals

poor-quality signals

unreliable signals

insufficient signals

inadequate signals

a weak solution

an inconsistent solution

an inadequate solution

an ineffectual solution

a faulty solution

a deficient solution

a weak smile

a feeble smile

a pathetic smile

a faint smile

a limp smile

an unconvincing smile

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and infirm. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

When is it sensible to use decrepit instead of weak?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of weak?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might fragile be a better fit than weak?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is frail a more appropriate choice than weak?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to weak?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

Examples 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 weak Scene-to-scene continuity is typically weak and telling. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Capasa noted that a negative third quarter impacted by weak internal demand, the slowdown of purchases from Chinese customers and overall geopolitical instability kept worsening the cautious scenario already registered in the first half of the year. —

Sandra Salibian, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024 Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density, and when levels drop, bones can become weaker and more brittle. —

Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2024 Its own military is incapable of doing so—Iran specializes in irregular warfare and its conventional forces are weak and largely ineffective. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for weak

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak

Adjective

But at the heart, the Whiteout V2 is still a player’s stick, with a 98-square-inch head and thinner beam for players with faster swing speeds.

Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
The major indexes were each down about 1% Monday on thin trading.

Sara Salinas, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024