Weakness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈwēk-nəs/ weak·ness

Meaning & Definition of Weakness

Weakness (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being weak; also, an instance or period of being weak
  2. fault, defect
  3. a special desire or fondness

Weakness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor

    "the flu left me with such overwhelming weakness that I could hardly stand"

    similar: asthenia, debilitation, debility, delicacy, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, fragility, frailness, frailty, infirmity, languidness, languor, listlessness, lowness, wimpiness
    related: decay, decrepitude, breakdown, collapse, prostration, exhaustion, fatigue, lassitude, weariness, defenselessness, helplessness, impotence, impuissance, powerlessness, effeteness, softness, tenderness, disablement, incapacitation, invalidism, damage, harm, hurt, impairment, injury
    opposite: hardihood, hardiness, robustness, strength, vigor
    near: energy, vitality, brawniness, fitness, heftiness, huskiness, lustiness, muscularity, virility, hardness, ruggedness, stoutness, sturdiness, toughness, health, healthiness, soundness, wellness

  2. the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character

    "in a moment of weakness he said yes to his daughter's request for a new toy"

    similar: frailness, frailty, softness, spinelessness, wimpiness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness
    related: collapse, failing, flaw, foible, peccadillo, evil, immorality, wickedness, corruption, corruptness
    opposite: backbone, chutzpah, firmness, fortitude, hardihood, mettle, moxie, nerve, resoluteness, strength, toughness
    near: discipline, self-discipline, goodness, integrity, morality, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtuousness

  3. a defect in character

    "his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything"

    similar: demerit, dereliction, failing, fault, foible, frailty, shortcoming, sin, vice, want, feet of clay
    related: blot, spot, stain, blemish, deficiency, flaw, imperfection, minus, nit, Achilles' heel, soft spot, corruption, depravity, evil, immorality, sinfulness, wickedness
    opposite: merit, virtue
    near: excellence, perfection, goodness, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness

  4. the quality or state of having little resistance to some outside agent

    "the devastating weakness of the immune system that is experienced by people with certain chronic conditions"

    similar: defenselessness, susceptibility, vulnerability
    related: helplessness, powerlessness, passiveness, passivity, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity, exposure, liability, openness, predisposition, proneness, sensitivity, receptiveness, receptivity, easiness, gullibility, naïveté, credulity, credulousness
    opposite: invulnerability
    near: immunity, impenetrability, indomitability, indomitableness, invincibility

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Weakness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Weakness:

asthenia, debilitation, debility, delicacy, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, fragility, frailness, frailty, infirmity, languidness, languor, listlessness, lowness, wimpiness, softness, spinelessness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness, demerit, dereliction, failing, fault, foible, shortcoming, sin, vice, want, defenselessness, susceptibility, vulnerability, feet of clay

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Weakness

Words with the opposite meaning of Weakness:

hardihood, hardiness, robustness, strength, vigor, backbone, chutzpah, firmness, fortitude, mettle, moxie, nerve, resoluteness, toughness, merit, virtue, invulnerability

Related Words for Weakness

decay, decrepitude, breakdown, collapse, prostration, exhaustion, fatigue, lassitude, weariness, helplessness, impotence, impuissance, powerlessness, effeteness, tenderness, disablement, incapacitation, invalidism, damage, harm, hurt, impairment, injury, flaw, peccadillo, evil, immorality, wickedness, corruption, corruptness

Near Antonyms of Weakness

energy, vitality, brawniness, fitness, heftiness, huskiness, lustiness, muscularity, virility, hardness, ruggedness, stoutness, sturdiness, health, healthiness, soundness, wellness, discipline, self-discipline, goodness, integrity, morality, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtuousness, excellence, perfection, probity

Origin & Etymology of Weakness

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Weakness

Frequently Asked Questions about Weakness

What does "Weakness" mean?

"Weakness" means the quality or state of being weak; also, an instance or period of being weak. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being weak; also, an instance or period of being weak. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Weakness"?

Other words for "Weakness" include asthenia, debilitation, debility, delicacy, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness and feebleness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Weakness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Weakness"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Weakness". Common alternatives include asthenia, debilitation, debility, delicacy, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, fragility and frailness.

What is the opposite of "Weakness"?

Antonyms of "Weakness" include hardihood, hardiness, robustness, strength, vigor, backbone, chutzpah and firmness. Near antonyms include energy, vitality, brawniness and fitness.

How do you use "Weakness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Weakness" in a sentence: "the flu left me with such overwhelming weakness that I could hardly stand"; "in a moment of weakness he said yes to his daughter's request for a new toy"; "his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything".

Is "Weakness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Weakness" is a noun.

Is "Weakness" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Weakness" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Weakness"?

"Weakness" is pronounced /ˈwēk-nəs/ and divided into syllables as weak·ness.