weakness

American  

[week-nis] / ˈwik nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.

   Synonyms:

   fragility

   Antonyms:

   strength

2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect.

   to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

   Synonyms:

   flaw

3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing.

   I've always had a weakness for the opera.

   Synonyms:

   appetite, hunger, passion, penchant

4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.

   Chocolates were her weakness.

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weakness British  

/ ˈwiːknɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak

2. a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character

3. a self-indulgent fondness or liking

   a weakness for chocolates

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weakness Idioms  

1. see have a weakness for.

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Related Words

See fault.

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness noun

Etymology

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English waikenes, weikenes. See weak, -ness

Example Sentences

In the quarter ended in November, organic net sales fell 1% from a year earlier thanks to weakness in snacks and meals.

From Barron's

Despite recent weakness, shares were still up about 79% over the past 12 months.

From Barron's

Over time, mapping where these enzymes are located and understanding their functions could help identify biomarkers for diagnosing cancer or reveal new weaknesses that anti cancer drugs could target.

From Science Daily

To be vulnerable, to her, feels like weakness.

From Los Angeles Times

Shaykevich also sees a “risk of prolonged weakness” in Central European and African local markets.

From Barron's

Related Words

• deficiency
• failing
• flaw
• fragility
• frailty
• gap
• instability
• lack
• lapse
• shortcoming
• vulnerability