1
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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2
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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3
as in fault
a defect in character
his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything
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4
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
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Recent Examples of weakness
About this, Trump's instincts have been correct: weakness, cowardice, and appeasement has been the EU's policy against tyranny since the 1990s—and this has weakened NATO as well.
—
John Davenport, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Palo Alto Networks Shares of the cybersecurity company have seen meaningful weakness in recent months, pulling back more than 15% over the past six.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, its yield has wafted up to over 5% amid energy’s weakness this year—and left shares relatively cheap.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
My whole mindset was to use my strength against the hitter’s weakness.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakness
John Davenport, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Palo Alto Networks Shares of the cybersecurity company have seen meaningful weakness in recent months, pulling back more than 15% over the past six.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, its yield has wafted up to over 5% amid energy’s weakness this year—and left shares relatively cheap.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
My whole mindset was to use my strength against the hitter’s weakness.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakness
Noun
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Side effects included extreme fatigue, nausea, mouth sores, and hair loss. Amber, who had always worn her blonde hair long, cut off 12 inches to prepare.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
-
This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, appetite changes, and even heart issues.—
Michelle Pugle,
Verywell Health,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Tiger has a fascinating history, although its life was short through no fault of its own.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
22 Aug. 2025
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But said momentum can also evaporate quickly through no fault of their own.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Overworking can actually lead to diminishing returns, where exhaustion causes mistakes and reduces efficiency.—
Kent Ingle,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Working too many hours can also contribute to burnout, a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term work stress.—
Louis Tay,
The Conversation,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The series sounds the alarm on the waning influence of traditional media and calls prominent journalists, including former New York Times writer Judith Miller, to task for reporting shortcomings.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
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Last year, the FAA's leadership under the Biden administration established a committee to examine the shortcomings of Part 450.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Regarding particle pollution, the EPA states that studies have linked exposure to a range of health effects, including respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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The chatbots’ vulnerability to manipulation, along with their susceptibility to groupthink and their inability to recognize basic facts, should alarm all of us about the growing reliance on these research tools in industry, education, and the media.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Just classical music, which was not considered a sin.—
Miriam Toews,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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And Just Like That has been a lot of things since its debut late in 2021: an apologia for the sins of the past, a lookbook, a backdrop for cameos from the two most Machiavellian men on reality television.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
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President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.—
David Harsanyi,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2024
Noun
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If your hair loss is down to certain nutrient deficiencies, adopting a healthy diet for your hair can help.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
20 Aug. 2025
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Luce tells the story of Brzezinski prodding Carter ahead of the debate to push Ford on the deficiencies of his (and Kissinger’s) détente with Moscow and attention to human rights issues.—
Niall Ferguson,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakness. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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