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

Four of the biggest banks on Wall Street must improve their blueprints for a hypothetical wind-down after top US regulators found weaknesses in their plans. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 22 June 2024

Those achievements have paled in comparison to London’s relative weakness in attracting top company listings and growing its value. —Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 21 June 2024

The agencies did not find any weaknesses in plans from Bank of New York Mellon, Morgan Stanley, State Street, or Wells Fargo. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 21 June 2024

As the mission date looms closer and government officials fear NASA might not be able to pull off a moon landing, dealing a potential blow to national morale and showing weakness to the Russians, Kelly is forced to stage a secret faux moon landing in a NASA warehouse. —Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 21 June 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