weakness

[ week-nis ]

/ ˈwik nɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR weakness ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect: to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing: I've always had a weakness for the opera.

an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist: Chocolates were her weakness.

Words nearby weakness

weakhanded, weakhearted, weakish, weakling, weakly, weakness, weal, weald, wealth, wealth tax, wealthy

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1250–1300, weakness is from the Middle English word weikenes. See weak, -ness

SYNONYMS FOR weakness

1 fragility.

2 flaw. See fault.

3 penchant, passion, hunger, appetite.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR weakness ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR weakness

1 strength.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR weakness ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM weakness

non·weak·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for weaknesses

"Both have their own strengths and weaknesses," Harding wrote.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They say your strengths can become your weaknesses, but in my case, perhaps my weaknesses have become my strengths.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What were his weaknesses as a military commander: was it hubris?
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator|J.P. O’Malley|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“All TV and film adaptations have their strengths and weaknesses,” Waters says.
Sarah Waters: Queen of the Tortured Lesbian Romance|Tim Teeman|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Gaga is especially convincing at slower tempos, and this is where weaknesses in phrasing are typically most exposed.
Can Lady Gaga Do Jazz?|Ted Gioia|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was one of the fatal elements of his character to be extremely sensitive to his own weaknesses.
The Red and the Black|Stendhal
His Eminence had no scruples, no weaknesses, no misgivings; he knew his power, and he exercised it without shrinking.
The Life of Marie de Medicis, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Julia Pardoe
You must carefully watch and attend to their passions, their tastes, their little humors and weaknesses, and 'aller au devant'.
The PG Edition of Chesterfield's Letters to His Son|The Earl of Chesterfield
Their weaknesses, their self-indulgence, their lack of providence for themselves, are largely attributable to these causes.
The Death-Blow to Spiritualism|Reuben Briggs Davenport
My soul, you think, should be free from jealousy and the other weaknesses of my sex.
Cleopatra, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for weaknesses

weakness

/ (ˈwiːknɪs) /

noun

the state or quality of being weak

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

a self-indulgent fondness or likinga weakness for chocolates

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with weaknesses

weakness

see have a weakness for.

weakness

noun

Words related to weakness

Words nearby weakness

Origin of weakness

SYNONYMS FOR weakness

ANTONYMS FOR weakness

OTHER WORDS FROM weakness

Examples from the Web for weaknesses

British Dictionary definitions for weaknesses

noun

Idioms and Phrases with weaknesses