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as in thin
not containing very much of some important element the coffee came out too weak because I didn't use enough ground beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a weak position
a vulnerable position
a susceptible position
an insecure position
a fragile position
a poor position
a weak economy
a feeble economy
a vulnerable economy
a fragile economy
an unstable economy
a frail economy
weak signals
poor signals
poor-quality signals
unreliable signals
insufficient signals
inadequate signals
a weak solution
an inconsistent solution
an inadequate solution
an ineffectual solution
a faulty solution
a deficient solution
a weak smile
a feeble smile
a pathetic smile
a faint smile
a limp smile
an unconvincing smile

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of weak are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and infirm. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use decrepit instead of weak?

The synonyms decrepit and weak are sometimes interchangeable, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of weak?

Although the words feeble and weak have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might fragile be a better fit than weak?

While in some cases nearly identical to weak, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is frail a more appropriate choice than weak?

The meanings of frail and weak largely overlap; however, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to weak?

The words infirm and weak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weak The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index is down 1% since the start of this year, dragged down by weak tech stock performance. Clare Duffy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 Exploiting weak security practices, such as the absence of multifactor authentication, attackers extracted valuable data and later attempted to sell it on underground markets. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025 And, according to court testimony, the tribe gave a weak public presentation prior to the council vote. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 Twilio — Shares of the cloud communications company plunged 15% on the heels of its weak earnings guidance. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Chinese smartphone company Honor has released devices that fold up to be nearly as thin as an iPhone.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But the comparison of the former Pac-12 to the new Pac-12 isn’t unreasonable, either.
    Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Reasons to hire Gen Z include their focus on balance and staying grounded—which have the benefit of reducing burnout or unreasonable expectations.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In Texarkana, the year before, men and boys amused themselves by cutting off strips of flesh and thrusting knives into their helpless victim.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Amick stars alongside James Spader as a beguiling beauty whom Spader is helpless before.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • When experienced all at once, these features can further shake an emerging adult’s already feeble sense of stability.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But the currency is still weak and spending still feeble, prompting fresh debate about what actions the country’s central bank should take.
    River Akira Davis, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Others are naked and seemingly unaware of the viewer, cigarettes in hand and gazes soft.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • As for the future, Leopold suggests that soft skills will play a major role.
    Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles.
    Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013
  • However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.
    George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013
Adjective
  • Friedrich Nietzsche's idea of rationality, Apollonian, and the irrational passion, defined as Dionysian, have always been a sort of philosophical guide for Murano; his way of conceiving fashion.
    Alberto Calabrese, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There’s a philosophical view, best associated with the scholar L. A. Paul, that the decision to have children is fundamentally irrational.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The cousin also was hit with gunfire and became paralyzed, prosecutors said.
    Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
  • John Lithgow plays an elderly care home tyrant out to drive an arrogant and partially paralyzed judge, played by Geoffrey Rush, insane in the official trailer for The Rule of Jenny Pen, which dropped Monday.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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