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

It can lower rates in response to weakness or raise rates in the face of high inflation.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The history is instructive, since Congress passed the legal exemption at a moment of weakness for the NFL and strength for traditional broadcasters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Tesla’s potential sales growth is somewhat stymied by weakness in the U.S. market after key EV tax credits were scrapped last year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

This is where the pressure hits the rocket the hardest, and when engineers know that even a small structural weakness can be disastrous.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“Stop it!” it yelled, and there was no more weakness or sad, sorry feelings allowed.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

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