Achilles' heel

noun

Definition of Achilles' heelnext
as in back
a vulnerable point the food supply proved to be the nation's Achilles' heel in its defense against terrorist attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Achilles' heel The Achilles' heel of this program is the high award fees, which have increased along with fuel prices and can be $400+ for a round-trip economy award. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Starts have been the Achilles' heel for Mercedes, and especially Antonelli this season, something that was seen on Saturday morning during the Sprint. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026 With Jesse Minter stepping in to replace the legendary John Harbaugh, the pressure is on General Manager Eric DeCosta to provide his new coach with the tools necessary to fix a unit that proved to be the team's Achilles' heel last season. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 For years, spacing has been an Achilles' heel, often clogging driving lanes for LeBron. — Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Achilles' heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Achilles' heel
  1. back
  2. soft spot
Noun
  • The kitchen is tucked away in the back, but the skylight keeps it from feeling too cavelike.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In the back, tanks bubbled with live lobsters while crawfish squirmed in boxes nearby.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • But after a career in Kansas City that produced one of the most prolific offenses that the NFL had ever seen, a Chiefs reunion doesn’t sound all too bad for those with a soft spot for that side of the ball.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Avoid using onions with any soft spots, sprouts, or signs of decay or discoloration.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of soft spot

Browse Nearby Words

achieving
Achilles' heel
Achilles' heels
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Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heel. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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