weaker; weakest
1
: lacking strength: such as
a
: deficient in physical vigor : feeble, debilitated
b
: not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain
c
: not able to resist external force or withstand attack
d
: easily upset or nauseated
a weak stomach
2
a
: mentally or intellectually deficient
b
: not firmly decided : vacillating
c
: resulting from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment
d
: not able to withstand temptation or persuasion
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
3
: not factually grounded or logically presented
a weak argument
4
a
: not able to function properly
weak eyes
b(1)
: lacking skill or proficiency
tutoring for weaker students
(2)
: indicative of a lack of skill or aptitude
history was my weakest subject
c
: wanting in vigor of expression or effect
a weak translation of the poem
5
a
: deficient in the usual or required ingredients : dilute
weak coffee
b
: lacking normal intensity or potency
a weak radio signal
a weak strain of virus
6
a
: not having or exerting authority or political power
weak government
7
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb or verb conjugation that in English forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix -ed or -d or -t
b
of a noun or adjective declension in Germanic languages : retaining a lesser number of distinctions in case, number and gender
8
a
: bearing the minimal degree of stress occurring in the language
a weak syllable
b
: having little or no stress and obscured vowel sound
'd in he'd is the weak form of would
9
: tending toward a lower price or value
a weak market
a weak dollar
10
: ionizing only slightly in solution
weak acids and bases
weakly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for weak

weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit 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

feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or disabling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

Examples of weak in a Sentence

He has a weak throwing arm. The illness left her too weak to stand up. The child was born with weak lungs. The batter hit a weak ground ball. She uttered her reply in a weak voice. The door's hinge is weak.
Recent Examples on the Web Russia was seen as weak in its most sacred spaces, and more disturbed young Islamists were able to take advantage. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Medium Maybe some more clouds for Tuesday as a weak cold front advances from the west. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 His audacious plan is not just to rob the train but to capture its rich and famous passengers, using them as bargaining chips to force a weak Chinese government to grant him autonomous control over his native soil. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 The dermatologists noted that a weak skin barrier may cause acne. Lisa Desantis, Health, 22 Mar. 2024 The unusual case reveals a weak spot in the business model behind the world’s biggest music platforms. Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024 From a longer-term perspective, weak demographic trends have combined with stunted innovation on the continent since the turn of the century, Clemens Fuest, president of Germany’s Ifo Institute, Fuest said Thursday, Bloomberg reported. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024 Analysts said the results partly reflected a weak campaign for the amendments, confusion over the proposals and a lower-than-expected voter turnout that cast a spotlight on the government’s approach. Megan Specia, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Researchers have discovered a weak spot for AI chatbots: ASCII art. Emily Price, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English weike, from Old Norse veikr; akin to Old English wīcan to yield, Greek eikein to give way, Sanskrit vijate he speeds, flees

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of weak was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near weak

Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weak. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

weak

adjective
1
a
: lacking physical strength
b
: easily upset or nauseated
a weak stomach
2
: not able to stand much weight, pressure, or strain
a weak rope
3
a
: lacking strength of mind or character
b
: resulting from or showing a lack of mental or moral firmness
a weak policy
4
: not rich in some usual or important element
weak tea
5
: not able to stand the test of logic
a weak argument
6
: lacking skill or ability
weak in math
7
: lacking in force of expression
a weak writing style
8
: not having or using authority
weak government
9
: of, relating to, or being a verb or verb conjugation that forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix -ed or -d or -t
10
: of, relating to, or being the lightest of three levels of stress in pronunciation
a weak syllable
11
: ionizing only slightly in solution
weak acids
weakly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on weak

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