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
Mercury’s magnetic field is about 100 times weaker than Earth’s.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Legal experts have told TIME that the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas are very weak, lack evidence of wrongdoing, and don’t rise to the standard set in the Constitution.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
By Gary Taubes In December 1921, Leonard Thompson was admitted to Toronto General Hospital so weak and emaciated that his father had to carry him inside.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
Confidence: Medium-High A weak storm zips out of the Great Lakes on Sunday just to our north.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Borders in the region are porous, and Central Asian regimes, though autocracies, are extremely weak.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
Cazale excelled, instead, at playing people who are weak, weird, unprincipled, and visibly uncomfortable in their own skins.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
Children who don’t consume micronutrients will develop weaker immune systems, leaving them more susceptible to infections that could cause diarrhea, pneumonia and fevers.
—Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Such designs left its bases weak, which were in part to blame for the higher number of fatalities and collapses.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Legal experts have told TIME that the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas are very weak, lack evidence of wrongdoing, and don’t rise to the standard set in the Constitution.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
By Gary Taubes In December 1921, Leonard Thompson was admitted to Toronto General Hospital so weak and emaciated that his father had to carry him inside.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
Confidence: Medium-High A weak storm zips out of the Great Lakes on Sunday just to our north.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Borders in the region are porous, and Central Asian regimes, though autocracies, are extremely weak.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
Cazale excelled, instead, at playing people who are weak, weird, unprincipled, and visibly uncomfortable in their own skins.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
Children who don’t consume micronutrients will develop weaker immune systems, leaving them more susceptible to infections that could cause diarrhea, pneumonia and fevers.
—Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Such designs left its bases weak, which were in part to blame for the higher number of fatalities and collapses.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English weike, from Old Norse veikr; akin to Old English wīcan to yield, Greek eikein to give way, Sanskrit vijate he speeds, flees
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of weak was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing weak
Dictionary Entries Near weak
Cite this Entry
“Weak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weak. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on weak
Nglish: Translation of weak for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of weak for Arabic Speakers
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