Pronunciations (8)
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/ˈwiːk.nɪs/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈwiːk.nəs/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈwik.nɪs/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ˈwik.nəs/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ˈwiːk.nɪs/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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[ˈwɪiːk.nɪs]
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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[ˈwɪ̈iːk.nɪs]
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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ˈwiːk.nəs
Noun
The condition of being weak.
Usage- Uncountable
- Examples
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Near-synonyms: debility, frailty, vulnerability; vincibility
In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.
An inadequate quality; fault.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.
The only weakness in her plan was its reliance on the electricity being up and running.
More examples (4)
The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.
Bradford had preyed on Villa's inability to defend set pieces, corners in particular, in their first-leg win and took advantage of the weakness again as Hanson equalised to restore their two-goal aggregate lead.
The compulsion to expose, renegotiate, or reinvent the strengths and weaknesses of dance tradition offers little in its final outcome to attract the average dance-goer.
Such a male-dominated environment is also likely to contribute to the lingering presence of an outdated belief that expressing feelings and demonstrating emotion is a sign of weakness, deterring some men from discussing their problems.
A special fondness or obsessing desire.
Usage- Countable
- Synonyms
- Examples
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She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.
Noun
a flaw or weak point
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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he was quick to point out his wife's failings
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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in spite of their weakness the group remains active
the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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his weakness increased as he became older
the weakness of the span was overlooked until it collapsed
the condition of being financially weak
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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the weakness of the dollar against the yen
a penchant for something even though it might not be good for you
- Broader terms
- Examples
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he has a weakness for chocolate