weakling

noun

weak·​ling ˈwē-kliŋ How to pronounce weakling (audio)
: one that is weak in body, character, or mind
weakling adjective

Examples of weakling in a Sentence

he had been a weakling until high school, when he started working out to put on muscle only a weakling would be willing to lie to save himself from punishment
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What cinches this daring perspective is actor Andrew Scott’s phenomenal characterization as a weakling who grapples with gradual self-awareness. Armond White, National Review, 29 Dec. 2023 But in a call with Mr. Licht after the meeting, Mr. Zaslav belittled Mr. Zucker as a weakling who had tears in his eyes, several people with knowledge of the conversation said. Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023 One is the election of Trump, whose frivolousness about national security compliments his weakling's admiration for a bully. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 July 2023 The book is no 179-page weakling. Karen Heller, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for weakling 

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weakling was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near weakling

Cite this Entry

“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weakling. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

weakling

noun
weak·​ling ˈwē-kliŋ How to pronounce weakling (audio)
: one that is weak in body, character, or mind
weakling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on weakling

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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