weakness

noun

weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs How to pronounce weakness (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being weak
also : an instance or period of being weak
backed down in a moment of weakness
2
3
a
: a special desire or fondness
has a weakness for sweets
b
: an object of special desire or fondness
pizza is my weakness

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
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.
While individual consumers’ choices are often at the mercy of industry marketing, businesses can base their decisions on a thorough analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Crystal Heath and Gene Baur, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024 Symptoms often include muscle weakness, brain fog, memory impairment, and, to make matters worse, poor sleep quality. Brittany Risher, SELF, 6 Dec. 2024 With fewer weaknesses in his empire, Trump might be able to deploy less than $50 million of cash in 2025, which would make the coming year one of his cheapest in recent memory. Dan Alexander, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 What happened is the statins revealed an underlying weakness in your liver because of your drinking. Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for weakness 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of weakness was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near weakness

Cite this Entry

“Weakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weakness. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

weakness

noun
weak·​ness ˈwēk-nəs How to pronounce weakness (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on weakness

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