weak

adjective

ˈwēk How to pronounce weak (audio)
Definition of weaknext
1
as in weakened
lacking bodily strength the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soft
lacking strength of will or character I was too weak to resist the free doughnuts in the office break room

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3
as in thin
not containing very much of some important element the coffee came out too weak because I didn't use enough ground beans

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4
as in unreasonable
not using or following good reasoning your argument is weak

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5
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose the vice president is a relatively weak official

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and infirm. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

When is it sensible to use decrepit instead of weak?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of weak?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might fragile be a better fit than weak?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is frail a more appropriate choice than weak?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to weak?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weak The problem was caused by a mix of high inflation, weak wage growth, the recessions of the 1970s and early 1980s, and mounting demographic pressure. —John W. Diamond, Fortune, 12 June 2026 Anything more than that encourages flippers and gives the company a weak shareholder base. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 June 2026 Across the world, strong El Niño events can generally cause wetter conditions in the southern half of the United States, a weaker Atlantic hurricane season, droughts in Australia and Indonesia, heatwaves in India, and more coral bleaching in oceans across the world. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 That is why habitual users often report that coffee, energy drinks or pre-workout supplements feel weaker after weeks of daily use. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
  1. weakened
  2. soft
  3. thin
  4. unreasonable
  5. helpless
  6. feeble
  7. frail
  8. dilute
Adjective
  • Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, such as children under 5, adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • As the limestone’s natural acids slowly leach into the softer sandstone, the structure will erode over time.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
  • Take inspiration from Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and ask your hairdresser for soft, invisible layers, which create the illusion of a blunt cut while still adding movement and texture around the cheek, jaw, and collarbones.
    — Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • The worst place at a factory to work for was always the screen-printing department—the hot metal and lacquer thinner produce pungent toxins that workers have no choice but to inhale.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • While knee-high boots are ideal for a concert or a shopping day, don’t be afraid to go casual via thin sneakers or flip-flops.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 8 June 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • The Stars may be moving from Dallas to Plano, but under no reasonable, or unreasonable, scenario will this move lead to their departure from Texas.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
  • However, investing in public institutions and infrastructure is a costly endeavor that can seem unreasonable when local officials are struggling to balance budgets without increasing tax burdens.
    — Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Definition of unreasonable
Adjective
  • After having put Brazil ahead minutes earlier, Richarlison popped a cross from Vinícius Júnior into the air, spun, and struck a spectacular acrobatic volley past Serbia’s helpless goalkeeper.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
  • Sharks often become bycatch – entangled in fishing nets not intended for them, they are rendered helpless and face certain death.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Osa Odighizuwa won’t ever be confused for Garrett, but the 49ers are convinced their feeble pass rush will improve thanks to Odighizuwa’s interior work.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
  • The Rock People were a feeble attempt to cash in on the shapeshifting craze, as Stonedar, Rokkon, and Granita (the latter never immortalized as an action figure) could turn themselves into… er, meteors.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 June 2026
Definition of feeble
Adjective
  • These moments are delightfully painful moments that remind just how frail this current moment in our relationship to technology continues to be.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Modifiers are long-standing medical coding tools that identify patients that are sicker, frailer, or undergoing unusually complex procedures.
    — Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
Definition of frail
Adjective
  • But dwarf galaxies are smaller and colder, with more dilute and slower-moving matter.
    — Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
  • Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of dilute

Browse Nearby Words

waywardness
weak
weaken
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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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