weakness Definition
- 1the state or condition of lacking strength
- 2a particular thing that one is unable to do well or in which one lacks ability
- 3a 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
Idioms Using weakness
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.
Example
He had a weakness for the bottle and couldn't go a day without drinking.
Example
The security system had a weakness in the armor that allowed hackers to access sensitive information.
Phrases with weakness
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.
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'
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.