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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.

Investigations found basic safety norms were flouted - explosives stored in makeshift sheds, weak enforcement, poor compliance and a combination of competitive, community-driven pressure to override regulations, according to a study published in 2018.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Homebuilders have suffered from slow home sales as high mortgage rates and weak buyer sentiment have hurt demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The combination of high inflation and a weak economy—dubbed stagflation —decimated retirement portfolios.

From Barron's • Apr. 19, 2026

By identifying weak points along the edges of the Greenland Ice Sheet, scientists can better predict where melting may begin and which coastal regions could face the greatest risk.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

“I was a strong young man before I was a weak old one, you know.”

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell