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Definitions

weak

[week] / wik /
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:

In recent years, the People’s Bank of China has maintained a very tight liquidity and as a result China has very weak growth, he argues.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

TAO is working to isolate that weak emission, while the Double Chooz findings now provide the first published benchmark for studying the residual signal from shut-down reactors and spent-fuel pools.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

The 14-year-old eagle was found weak and unable to fly after sparring with younger eagles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

The economic benefits of a weak yen are less clear now that many Japanese companies have shifted production abroad, partly as a result of the yen’s strength in the 1990s through early 2010s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Multiple recurrences of the disease kept his heart weak and his health precarious.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Goldman Sachs economists expect the industrial output print to reflect softer export growth, weaker manufacturing activity and a sharper contraction in steel production and demand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Thiago has the profile of a forward who can deliver in bursts, particularly against weaker opposition, and Brentford are likely to continue looking for him regularly inside the penalty area.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

In OPA1-deficient females, however, its ability to suppress appetite was significantly weaker.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

For Chinese manufacturers contending with weaker demand at home and new trade barriers in the West, the market for halal goods offers an attractive source of growth.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

As Sadako grew weaker, she thought more about death.

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr

Historically, September is the weakest month for S&P 500 returns over the entire calendar year.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

In pre-season, this has been the weakest part of City's system with players, often in midfield or at full-back, having to cover large distances, leaving gaps in their defensive shape.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

U.S. stocks are entering what has historically been the weakest stretch of the year, but unusually bearish investor sentiment could help limit any pullback, according to Ned Davis Research.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

"Developing economies today are in the midst of their weakest average growth performance in three decades," said a World Bank statement accompanying the report.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

The commandant hadn’t chosen the strongest, he’d taken the weakest.

From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz

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