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

If all goes well Saturday, that weakness won’t be tested until next fall.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the best parts about being honest with yourself as a basketball team is that it allows for everyone to recognize an area of weakness and then take the steps to address it.

From Los Angeles Times

Symptoms such as widespread pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness often continue to disrupt daily activities, including walking and basic tasks.

From Science Daily

According to the NHS, Bell's palsy is a condition causing temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in one side of the face, with symptoms varying from person to person.

From BBC

Their virtues are blindingly obvious, but it’s weakness that Townsend is looking for.

From BBC

Related Words

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