weakness

[ˈwiːknəs]

weakness Definition

• 1. the state or condition of lacking strength
• 2. a particular thing that one is unable to do well or in which one lacks ability
• 3. a quality or feature regarded as a disadvantage or fault

Using weakness: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "weakness" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  His weakness for sweets led to weight gain.

• Example

  The company's financial weakness was exposed during the recession.

• Example

  Public speaking is my greatest weakness.

• Example

  The team's defense was their biggest weakness.

weakness Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for weakness

• frailty
• feebleness
• infirmity
• debility
• deficiency

Antonyms for weakness

• strength
• power
• ability

Idioms Using weakness

• the weakness of the flesh

  the tendency to give in to physical desires or pleasures, especially those that are considered sinful or immoral

  Example

  He struggled with the weakness of the flesh and often gave in to temptation.

• a weakness for the bottle

  an addiction to alcohol

  Example

  He had a weakness for the bottle and couldn't go a day without drinking.

• a weakness in the armor

  a vulnerability or flaw in a plan or system that can be exploited by others

  Example

  The security system had a weakness in the armor that allowed hackers to access sensitive information.

Phrases with weakness

• weakness for something

  a strong liking or desire for something, often to an excessive degree

  Example

  She has a weakness for chocolate and can't resist it.

• play to someone's weaknesses

  to take advantage of someone's vulnerabilities or shortcomings

  Example

  The opposing team knew our defense was weak, so they played to our weaknesses and scored several goals.

• weakness in the knees

  a feeling of physical or emotional weakness that causes one's knees to feel unsteady or shaky

  Example

  When she saw her favorite celebrity in person, she felt a weakness in the knees and had to sit down.

Origins of weakness

from Middle English 'weknesse', from Old English 'wēacnes'

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Summary: weakness in Brief

The term 'weakness' [ˈwiːknəs] refers to the state of lacking strength, ability, or quality. It can describe a physical or emotional condition, such as 'The team's defense was their biggest weakness,' or a personal preference, like 'His weakness for sweets led to weight gain.' 'Weakness' extends into phrases like 'play to someone's weaknesses,' and idioms like 'the weakness of the flesh,' denoting a tendency to give in to physical desires or pleasures.