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

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

But the weak retail data was a reminder that U.S. growth is still largely a function of consumer behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Ridge was so tired and weak, he needed Michael’s help to change into it, and when they leaned against each other, Ridge’s fever burned through Michael’s skin.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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

“While the weaker than expected nonfarm payrolls numbers last week help, the CPI numbers later today are arguably more important,” the senior currency analyst adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 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

Had it been weaker, however, nothing would have coalesced.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

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

Melissa Davies, chief economist at Rothschild Redburn, noted the wage growth was the weakest since May 2021.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

The joint operation came after the yen hit 163.99 per dollar last month, its weakest since 1986.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

“If we leave the weakest men behind,” said Corliss Penny.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

weak

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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