weakness

[week-nis]

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.

weakness

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of weakness¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see have a weakness for.

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

For England's strength can, conversely, also be a weakness.

From BBC

They confuse cruelty with bravery and kindness with weakness while scraping and bowing before their dark lord Donny.

From Salon

OpenAI has acknowledged weaknesses in its protections, noting they are less reliable in long conversations.

From BBC

Sunlight and wisteria are among their very few weaknesses.

From Los Angeles Times

As well as inflation, the Fed has become increasingly focused on job market weakness.

From BBC

Related Words

• deficiency 
• failing 
• flaw 
• fragility www.thesaurus.com
• frailty 
• gap 
• instability 
• lack 
• lapse 
• shortcoming 
• vulnerability