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

Its weakness is the lack of detail, a characteristic of Trumpian diplomacy.

From BBC

These problems include their batting weakness against spin, a drastic need to improve their fielding and how they cope with pressure situations or must-win moments.

From BBC

Essay Topic: An obsessive need to demean and diminish others is explained by some behavioral therapists as a sign of insecurity, weakness, or an unhappy childhood.

From Los Angeles Times

Six candidates have officially entered the field to unseat Robert Luna, with the early challengers slinging barbs, probing the incumbent’s political weaknesses and setting the stage for a heated campaign in the coming months.

From Los Angeles Times

The small weaknesses seen in this game were typical of Martin's sides in the past, however, and have been amplified against better opposition.

From BBC

Related Words

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