weakness
The point where something fails to work properly or to hold up is its weakness. If a building crumbles in a storm, it's probably because of a weakness — a flaw or defect — in its structure.
Weakness can indicate a physical weakness, like a chair with one wobbly leg, or flaw in an idea, like a plan for a lemonade stand that doesn't include any cups for serving the lemonade. People can show weakness too, when they are helpless to take action. The origin of weakness can be traced all the way back to its Proto-Indo-European root of weik, "to bend."
Definitions of weakness
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a flaw or weak point
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synonyms:
failing
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types:
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inadequacy, insufficiency
a lack of competence
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fatigue
used of materials (especially metals) in a weakened state caused by long stress
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flaw
defect or weakness in a person's character
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hamartia, tragic flaw
the character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall
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type of:
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imperfection, imperfectness
the state or an instance of being imperfect
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the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain“his weakness increased as he became older”“the weakness of the span was overlooked until it collapsed”
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Antonyms:
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strength
the property of being physically or mentally strong
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types:
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littleness, smallness
the property of having relatively little strength or vigor
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adynamia
lack of strength or vigor (especially from illness)
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feebleness, tenuity
the quality of lacking intensity or substance
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faintness
the property of being without strength
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flimsiness, shoddiness
the property of weakness by virtue of careless construction
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delicacy, fragility
lack of physical strength
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insubstantiality
lack of solid substance and strength
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attenuation
the property of something that has been weakened or reduced in thickness or density
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enervation
lack of vitality
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fatigability
susceptibility to fatigue; a tendency to get tired or lose strength
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inanition, lassitude, lethargy, slackness
weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy
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soft spot, weak part, weak spot
a place of especial vulnerability
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vulnerability
susceptibility to injury or attack
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Achilles' heel
a seemingly small but actual mortal weakness
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jugular
a vital part that is vulnerable to attack
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underbelly
the quality of being weak or unprotected
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defencelessness, defenselessness, unprotectedness
the property of being helpless in the face of attack
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assailability
vulnerability to forceful attack
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destructibility
vulnerability to destruction
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breakability, fragility, frangibility, frangibleness
quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
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exposure
vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain
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type of:
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property
a basic or essential attribute shared by all members of a class
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strength
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powerlessness revealed by an inability to act“in spite of their weakness the group remains active”
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synonyms:
helplessness, impuissance
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type of:
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impotence, impotency, powerlessness
the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
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impotence, impotency, powerlessness
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a penchant for something even though it might not be good for you“he has a weakness for chocolate”
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type of:
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penchant, predilection, preference, taste
a strong liking
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penchant, predilection, preference, taste
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the condition of being financially weak“the weakness of the dollar against the yen”
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Antonyms:
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strength
the condition of financial success
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type of:
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bad luck, ill luck, misfortune, tough luck
an unfortunate state resulting from unfavorable outcomes
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strength
Word Family
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