WEAK Synonyms: 289 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

weak

adjective

ˈwēk

Definition of weak

as in weakened

lacking bodily strength the little boy was simply too weak to lift the box

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in soft

lacking strength of will or character I was too weak to resist the free doughnuts in the office break room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in unreasonable

not using or following good reasoning your argument is weak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose the vice president is a relatively weak official

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Crepe myrtles may not bloom due to poor pruning, low light, watering issues, weak soil, or pests. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026 These CMOs typically last two to three years before growth plateaus despite rising spend, and they either get blamed for a weak pipeline or move to a role with cleaner metrics and smaller scope. — Vlada Grebenykova, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Still, the Tigers drew back to within striking distance in a weak American League. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Foreign governments have already shown interest in those weak spots. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weak

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weak

Adjective

But some people, such as those with weakened immune systems, older people and young children, are at higher risk of complications, primarily because of severe dehydration, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2026
Further, the actual speed-up is unknown, since the weakened AES algorithm tested used only 7 rounds.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

My mom raves about Vuori loungewear, and there’s currently a pair of the brand’s airy, feather-soft wide-leg pants on sale for 25 percent off.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Set the scene On the second and last morning of my weekend at Winvian, a soft snow came upon the place and landed in a thin blanket.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft

Adjective

The Orioles’ Taylor Ward has been at or near the top of the shopping list for every team seeking a righty-hitting outfield bat since the market for players like him may never have been thinner.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Improperly Drying Flammable Items Drying clothes stained with any type of chemical stains such as gasoline, paint thinner, or acetone is a hazard.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Which is not entirely unreasonable given this very specific set of circumstances.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Recalls are issued when vehicle owners, regulators, or manufacturers determine that a potentially faulty component presents an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet specified standards.

— Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

And the sport — players in uniform and executives in suits alike — all march toward the cliff in shackles of their own design, seemingly helpless to find a compromise.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
The helpless young tailor of twenty-one years of age had a keen nose.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Perennially frail, sick, and gaunt, the ambient guitar composer had devoted his life to a sprawling catalog, some 40 albums wide, that resembles a matchstick model of paradise.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Nebraska has a nearly 300-page index of diagnoses that could qualify someone as medically frail.

— Isabella Cueto, STAT, 30 July 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of dilute

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“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weak. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of weak

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