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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 Biden's delivery was weak, his answers scattered and his presence onstage failed to ease voter concerns. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 Mouth sores, dry mouth, and oral infections are often indicators that HIV is progressing and the immune system is becoming weaker. Carley Millhone, Health, 6 July 2025 There is a rise, however, in the total number of weak (EF0-EF1) tornadoes recorded from 1950-1990. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Boston Herald, 6 July 2025 And while the unemployment rate remains low, hiring has been weak, leaving those without jobs struggling to find new work. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for weak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak
Adjective
  • The Series 10 is also thinner, lighter, easier to wear, and charges faster than previous models.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 12 July 2025
  • Often, the first real cracks appear in prime borrowers who were stretched thin, quietly falling behind while headlines focus on everything else.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • In making arrests, the federal government allegedly went against both immigration laws and the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, the plaintiffs argue.
    Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Medical device safety alert: issued in situations where a medical device may present an unreasonable risk of substantial harm.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her precocity gives the novel its wit, but Shteyngart is also alert to the fact that a child, however bright, is fundamentally helpless. Not to mention desperate for her parents’ affection, which is in short supply for Vera.
    Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
  • Evans stood next to a small boat, clad in waders and helpless to stop the rising waters.
    Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Joe Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate performance, when the nation witnessed a hoarse and feeble president losing his train of thought and struggling to finish sentences, ended his re-election campaign.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • Their feeble efforts fall flat, because the physical historical record dictates otherwise.
    Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • These attempts to reshape the narrative around China’s actions go way beyond cultural soft power.
    Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 8 July 2025
  • For ultimate comfort, the loveseat and chairs also include 3.9-inch foam cushions wrapped in soft cotton.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 July 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
  • So watch for seemingly irrational behavior and erratic tactical moves, as leadership is unafraid to confuse customers and take outsized capital risks.
    Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • As Reva relates the stories of her three main characters—including one whose true passion is snail conservation—her novel hums with bruised faith in the irrational power of hope, whether for peace, love, endangered species, or familial reconciliation.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 1995, Reeve suffered a spinal injury in a horse riding accident and became paralyzed from the neck down.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • The Teddy Pendergrass thing [his first performance since a 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the chest down] was overwhelming, very emotional.
    Gary Graff, Billboard, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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