Definitions

weak

[week] / wik /

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not strong adj.
cowardly adj.
faint, soft adj.
deficient, feeble adj.
exposed, vulnerable adj.
watered-down adj.

ADJECTIVE

not strong

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anemic feeble fragile frail hesitant powerless shaky sickly sluggish uncertain unsteady weakened wobbly

WEAK

debilitated decrepit delicate effete enervated epicene exhausted faint flaccid flimsy forceless impuissant infirm insubstantial irresolute lackadaisical languid languorous limp makeshift out of gas prostrate puny rickety rocky rotten senile spent spindly supine torpid undependable unsound unsubstantial wasted wavering weakly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

healthy hearty powerful stable strong unbreakable

WEAK

capable fit potent

ADJECTIVE

cowardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hesitant indecisive ineffectual insecure nervous powerless shaky soft uncertain unstable wobbly

WEAK

faint-hearted fluctuant frightened impotent infirm irresolute nerveless spineless timorous undependable unreliable unsure vacillating wavering weak-kneed wimpy wishy-washy zero

Antonyms

WEAK

bold brave confident

ADJECTIVE

faint, soft

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dull feeble low poor quiet small thin

WEAK

bated dim distant gentle imperceptible inaudible indistinct muffled pale reedy slight stifled unaccented unstressed whispered

Antonyms

WEAK

loud noisy

ADJECTIVE

deficient, feeble

Synonyms

STRONGEST

immature inadequate incomplete ineffective ineffectual inept lacking limited poor shaky slim small thin

WEAK

faulty flabby flimsy forceless green hollow implausible impotent improbable incompetent inconceivable inconclusive incredible invalid pathetic raw shallow slight spineless substandard thick unbelievable unconvincing unprepared unqualified unsatisfactory unsubstantial unsure untrained wanting

Antonyms

STRONGEST

able adequate competent enough strong sufficient

WEAK

capable fit potent

ADJECTIVE

exposed, vulnerable

Synonyms

WEAK

accessible assailable defenseless helpless indefensible unguarded unprotected unsafe untenable wide-open woundable

Antonyms

WEAK

able fit guarded potent protected safe secure

ADJECTIVE

watered-down

Synonyms

STRONGEST

thin

WEAK

dilute diluted insipid milk-and-water runny tasteless washy waterish watery wishy-washy

Antonyms

WEAK

concentrated potent strong thick

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for weak?

Weak means not strong. A synonym for weak in the context of physical strength is feeble. A person might also be considered weak as in cowardly or easily defeated. Something that can easily break can be described as fragile or delicate. When a sick or very tired person says they feel weak, it means they have no energy. A person who’s very ill and generally weak in this way might be described as frail. When weak means lacking in force, effectiveness, or support, synonyms are ineffectual and poor, as in That’s a weak/poor excuse. In the context of sounds, weak is used to mean faint, soft, and quiet. A weak sound might be one that’s indistinct, thin, or muffled. A very informal slang term that can mean the same thing as weak is weak sauce. To become weak is to weaken. A specific way of being weak is a weakness. Other terms for this are weak point, vulnerability, and soft spot. These terms often suggest a flaw that can allow someone or something to be defeated, attacked, exploited. An expression that means this is Achilles heel.

What is the opposite (antonym) of weak?

The direct and commonly used opposite of weak is strong. Strong can be used as the opposite of weak in most contexts, such as a person’s physical strength, the effectiveness of an argument, the flavor of a drink, etc. Other antonyms for weak include hearty and healthy (when weak means ill or frail), bold and brave (when weak means cowardly), and loud (when weak means faint or quiet).

How do you spell weak?

Weak as in lacking strength is spelled with ea. Week as in the period of seven days is spelled with ee. You can remember this because seven also has two e’s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

weak weaker weakest

Most managers’ weak spots have nothing to do with their employees, says Pooja Kothari, a workplace diversity, equity and inclusion trainer.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

Many of Europe’s auto players are struggling with fiercer competition, notably in China, as well as generally weak demand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Nonetheless, Claude used "basic techniques, such as exploiting weak passwords and unauthenticated endpoints," the blog continued.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

That evolving attitude is reflected in his decision to spare Kanbei’s life, although the change of heart worries his troops, who believe he will be perceived as weak in Oda’s eyes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

If you have a weak organ, it will be small and you'll have a dip or depression in your skull.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Overall, North America came in slightly ahead, while other regions were a bit weaker, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

“Even a slightly weaker U.S. dollar over the past year, which provides more purchasing power for foreigners, did not induce more activity,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR, said in a statement.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Rats that ate high-fat and high-sugar diets early in life later showed weaker communication between the gut and the hippocampus.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

He later decided he needed a larger telescope to help researchers detect weaker signals from space, and the Lovell telescope was completed in 1957.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

You are even weaker than Krios and Hyperion.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

China recorded its weakest economic expansion in more than three years in the second quarter, despite an artificial-intelligence-driven surge in exports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

In May, the Russian economy ministry cut its GDP growth forecast to 0.4% for 2026, putting the country on course for its weakest economic growth since 2022.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

As for the weakest themes, UBS flagged consumer staples and consumer discretionary, citing macroeconomic worries and insufficient earnings revisions.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

China’s state-owned industries are the weakest part of its economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

Three times in nine days, Frederick is chosen as the weakest in field exercises.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

weak

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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