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
b
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
Synonyms
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
Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.
—
Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.
—PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
The next weak point in our system comes with the board certification of those vote counts.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Dive into your sales data to look for trends, weak points, and opportunities.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for weak 
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Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.
—PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
The next weak point in our system comes with the board certification of those vote counts.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Dive into your sales data to look for trends, weak points, and opportunities.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for weak
Dictionary Entries Near weak
Cite this Entry
“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weak. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
weak
adjective1
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
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