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

Despite past weakness, technical analysis suggests real estate is no longer showing internal weakness and is in a ‘repair phase’.

From Barron's

New Zealand’s economy is slowly shaking off years of extended weakness, with heightened geopolitical and financial market risk around the world likely to be a further brake on its recovery.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Swiss private bank reported a smaller-than-expected drop in profit and stronger capital ratio but weakness on its top line.

From The Wall Street Journal

There's brilliance but there's also painful weakness - soft beginnings to Tests, panic when well on top, overplaying, error counts, poor discipline adding pressure, players going off script, chances butchered, lack of mental resilience.

From BBC

Gorman and other committee members spent time with the CEO candidates to learn their strengths, weaknesses and visions for the future.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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