WEAKLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

weakly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwē-klē

Definition of weakly

as in fragile

chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health a weakly baby who required repeated hospitalizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weakly

2 of 2

adverb

as in feebly

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 weakly

Adverb

Led by Arne Güllich, researchers analyzed the developmental histories of 35,000 world-class adults, including Nobel laureates and Olympians, finding early excellence is weakly linked to adult achievement. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Native traditions have repeatedly been acknowledged in principle – named, counted, formally recognized – but weakly protected in practice. — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 Molecular design matters Unlike conventional porous carbon materials that interact weakly with polysulfides, covalent organic frameworks can be engineered with precise pore structures and chemical functionalities. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 The surface of the bacterial cell contains many chemical structures that can weakly attract and hold onto nanoplastics. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026 After a long at-bat, Cholowsky weakly popped out to first base. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 29 May 2026 There will be disappointment about Mateta’s goal — Wharton should have been closed down quicker, and Batalla should not have parried the ball so weakly. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026 The tree branches are also weakly attached to the trunks and prone to splitting apart during storms and harsh weather events, Zieche said. — Jerry Wu, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Eight balloons sway weakly in the wind above a makeshift memorial – eight crosses staked into the damp ground, covered in handwritten messages. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakly

Adjective

Sri Sarma of Johns Hopkins highlights how biological neural networks offer superior adaptability, efficiency, and resilience, unlike fragile digital systems.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
The miracle behind Cruz’s discovery is that amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders rarely make it into the fossil records because of their fragile skeletons.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

Many forex brokers respond to weak rankings by publishing more market guides, adding country pages and building links.

— David Ispiryan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Slow money growth means weak nominal growth and low inflation, which in turn keeps interest rates and bond yields depressed—and the yen weak.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adverb

All your zillennial and millennial friends, now adults with car insurance and vigorous SPF routines, have been watching cozy, faintly dissociative teen dramas in order to forget their troubles.

— Daisy Jones, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
The ceremonies are held at Nihi’s Nihioka sanctuary, an hour’s ride from the hotel through wide open rice fields and thick jungle, where emerald hills cascade down towards the sea and the sound of waves carries faintly across the valley.

— Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of faintly

Adjective

What will happen when residents who are relatively young, active, and healthy become more frail and need higher levels of care?

— Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

Seeing her daughter in that state, babbling nonsense and barely able to stand, Letizia had goggled with the watery eyes of a sickly old lady.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
The woman’s body, painted in blazing magenta, is wrapped around a man rendered in sickly olive green, her head disappearing into his chest.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of sickly

Adverb

Fall Dog Treats These cozy seasonal dog treats are made with simple organic ingredients, gently oven baked in small batches for a soft, flavorful reward inspired by the comforting tastes of fall.

— Jessica Moore, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Sole4Souls Nationwide organizations also accept items like gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of gently

Browse Nearby Words

weaklings

weakly

weak-minded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Weakly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakly. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of weakly

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on weakly

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes