weakness

plural weaknesses · alternative weakenes

1. uncountableThe condition of being weak.

   Near-synonyms: debility, frailty, vulnerability; vincibility

   1 more example

   In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.

   Synonyms: debility, frailty, vulnerability, vincibility · Antonyms: strength, power, powerfulness, invulnerability, invincibility

2. countableAn inadequate quality; fault.

   His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.

   5 more examples

   The only weakness in her plan was its reliance on the electricity being up and running.

   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.

   1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249

   The smooth, even surfaces of Mr. Glass’s music expose his weaknesses as a pianist, but the faults added a kind of human breathiness to the piano’s embellished tread (reminiscent of Satie’s “Gymnopédies”) in the concluding piece, “The Orchard.” Ms. Sutter and her borrowed cello sang a little raucously over it, like Carly Simon at the end of the night.

   2007 February 15, Anne Midgette, “A New Work for Cello, Played Upon a Veteran”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Feb 2021

   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.

   2013 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 02 Aug 2022

   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.

   2013, Deborah Hay, My Body, The Buddhist, →ISBN, page 78

   Synonyms: defect, flaw, hole · Antonyms: strength, forte

3. countableA special fondness or obsessing desire.

   She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.

   Synonyms: soft spot