as in fragile
chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health
a weakly baby who required repeated hospitalizations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in feebly
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakly
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
The surface of the bacterial cell contains many chemical structures that can weakly attract and hold onto nanoplastics.
—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
9 June 2026
After a long at-bat, Cholowsky weakly popped out to first base.
—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
There will be disappointment about Mateta’s goal — Wharton should have been closed down quicker, and Batalla should not have parried the ball so weakly.
—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
The tree branches are also weakly attached to the trunks and prone to splitting apart during storms and harsh weather events, Zieche said.
—
Jerry Wu,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Eight balloons sway weakly in the wind above a makeshift memorial – eight crosses staked into the damp ground, covered in handwritten messages.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
But Rodríguez struck out Olson on a check swing, and Austin Riley weakly rolled a change-up to shortstop to end the threat.
—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Molecular design matters Unlike conventional porous carbon materials that interact weakly with polysulfides, covalent organic frameworks can be engineered with precise pore structures and chemical functionalities.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
The surface of the bacterial cell contains many chemical structures that can weakly attract and hold onto nanoplastics.
—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
9 June 2026
After a long at-bat, Cholowsky weakly popped out to first base.
—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
There will be disappointment about Mateta’s goal — Wharton should have been closed down quicker, and Batalla should not have parried the ball so weakly.
—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
The tree branches are also weakly attached to the trunks and prone to splitting apart during storms and harsh weather events, Zieche said.
—
Jerry Wu,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Eight balloons sway weakly in the wind above a makeshift memorial – eight crosses staked into the damp ground, covered in handwritten messages.
—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
But Rodríguez struck out Olson on a check swing, and Austin Riley weakly rolled a change-up to shortstop to end the threat.
—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakly
Adjective
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The system has long been mired in controversy, including exam paper leaks and technical failures, placing a crushing burden on students, and financial strain on families investing everything in their children for a promise that can often appear fragile.
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However, price bulls highlight a fragile US-Iran ceasefire and past IEA surplus forecasts that failed to depress prices.
Adverb
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Chief swam feebly across, joined the other two horses on the bank, and stood there shaking.
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Judge lined it feebly into the glove of an outfielder.
Adjective
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Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.
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In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.
Adverb
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The Diwali name and festive percussion gave the song a faintly South Asian vibe.
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The Philly duo’s tender, faintly medieval-sounding folk song has its hands clasped and its heart on its sleeve.
Adjective
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The law had said medically frail people include those who have substance use disorders, disabilities or serious medical conditions.
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Roosevelt credits that experience with transforming him from a frail, nearsighted youth into a rugged individual who years later would become the 26th president and a pioneering conservationist.
Adverb
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Your Chinese colleague speaks softly in a meeting; is that cultural deference or introversion?
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Under the spotlight, her sentimental vocals land softly with a crowd that’s happy to see her.
Adjective
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Work took place in the spring and early summer and the pool was refilled in June, but an algae bloom returned just days later, turning the pool a sickly green color.
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In the heyday of her career, her choppy hair, flat chest, sickly pallor and large darting eyes were a manic pixie dream.
Adverb
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Roll it gently between your thumb and fingers.
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Instead, the area should be cleared of sharp or dangerous objects; they should be turned gently on their side, and their airway should be kept clear.
Cite this Entry
“Weakly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakly. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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