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 Words From

• non·weakness 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 example, the decrease of muscle mass and function, leading to weakness and atrophy.

From Science Daily

He said there had been weaknesses in the communications systems and in the plans to improve these across health trusts and in hospitals.

From BBC

You can game-plan all you want, there’s just not a weakness.”

From Los Angeles Times

"They track you, gather personal information, and identify your weaknesses," says Mr Singh.

From BBC

Annie Hudson, the panel's chair, said the new legislation would "go some way towards tackling some of the systemic weaknesses that can create the conditions where very vulnerable children are abused and neglected".

From BBC

Related Words

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