weak

adjective

ˈwēk 

weaker; weakest

1

: lacking strength: such as

a

: deficient in physical vigor : feeble, debilitated

b

: not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain

c

: not able to resist external force or withstand attack

d

: easily upset or nauseated

a weak stomach

2

a

: mentally or intellectually deficient

b

: not firmly decided : vacillating

c

: resulting from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment

d

: not able to withstand temptation or persuasion

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

3

: not factually grounded or logically presented

a weak argument

4

a

: not able to function properly

weak eyes

b(1)

: lacking skill or proficiency

tutoring for weaker students

(2)

: indicative of a lack of skill or aptitude

history was my weakest subject

c

: wanting in vigor of expression or effect

a weak translation of the poem

5

a

: deficient in the usual or required ingredients : dilute

weak coffee

b

: lacking normal intensity or potency

a weak radio signal

a weak strain of virus

6

a

: not having or exerting authority or political power

weak government

b

: ineffective, impotent

7

a

: of, relating to, or constituting a verb or verb conjugation that in English forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix -ed or -d or -t

b

of a noun or adjective declension in Germanic languages : retaining a lesser number of distinctions in case, number and gender

8

a

: bearing the minimal degree of stress occurring in the language

a weak syllable

b

: having little or no stress and obscured vowel sound

'd in he'd is the weak form of would

9

: tending toward a lower price or value

a weak market

a weak dollar

10

: ionizing only slightly in solution

weak acids and bases

weakly adverb

Synonyms

• asthenic
• debilitated
• delicate
• down-and-out
• effete
• enervated
• enfeebled
• faint
• feeble
• frail
• infirm
• languid
• low
• prostrate
• prostrated
• sapped
• slight
• soft
• softened
• tender
• unsubstantial
• wasted
• weakened
• wimpish
• wimpy

Choose the Right Synonym for weak

weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit 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

feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or disabling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

Examples of weak in a Sentence

He has a weak throwing arm.

The illness left her too weak to stand up.

The child was born with weak lungs.

The batter hit a weak ground ball.

She uttered her reply in a weak voice.

The door's hinge is weak.

Recent Examples on the Web

Area roads could become dangerously slick Monday morning as a weak system is expected to bring freezing rain overnight, according to the National Weather Service. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024

Houston will be a weaker team in 2025, but one Brown still believes can capture an American League West championship. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

The Gators are one of the SEC's weakest teams, so Sunday's game was a poor litmus test for whether this lineup can work in the NCAA Tournament. —Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The regime is weaker—on multiple fronts—than any time since Khomeini’s ambitious speech. —Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English weike, from Old Norse veikr; akin to Old English wīcan to yield, Greek eikein to give way, Sanskrit vijate he speeds, flees

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing weak

• the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
• the weak
• weak anthropic principle
• weak at/in the knees
• weak force
• weak-kneed
• weak link
• weak-minded
• weak moment
• weak sauce
• weak side
• weak sister
• weak stomach
• went weak in the knees

Kids Definition

weak

adjective

ˈwēk 

1

a

: lacking physical strength

b

: easily upset or nauseated

a weak stomach

2

: not able to stand much weight, pressure, or strain

a weak rope

3

a

: lacking strength of mind or character

b

: resulting from or showing a lack of mental or moral firmness

a weak policy

4

: not rich in some usual or important element

weak tea

5

: not able to stand the test of logic

a weak argument

6

: lacking skill or ability

weak in math

7

: lacking in force of expression

a weak writing style

8

: not having or using authority

weak government

9

: of, relating to, or being a verb or verb conjugation that forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix -ed or -d or -t

10

: of, relating to, or being the lightest of three levels of stress in pronunciation

a weak syllable

11

: ionizing only slightly in solution

weak acids

weakly adverb