weaknesses

noun

plural of weakness
as in faults
a defect in character his one weakness is his cockeyed optimism about everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 weaknesses On iPhone, Apple says the Passwords app automatically identifies common weaknesses, including passwords that are easy to guess or used multiple times. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Slowik, who was part of Miami’s offensive staff last season while working for McDaniel, is aware of what Wright and Gordon bring to the team, their strengths and weaknesses, and intends to cater the offense to those. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Each of these vehicles has a distinct style, strengths, and weaknesses. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 In Finance​ Give agentic AI fragmented data, inconsistent processes or unclear ownership, and those weaknesses become part of how the technology operates. — Ari Widlansky, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Sharpe’s best skill addresses one of Brooklyn’s clearest weaknesses. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 Some programs use non-conference play to stack wins, while the more competitive programs use non-conference games as an opportunity to find potential weaknesses. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 Both kinds of cultures had strengths and weaknesses during and after the pandemic. — Sebastian Fixson, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026 Similarly, behavioral assessments also shed light on potential weaknesses, such as poor communication skills or a tendency to avoid conflict, which can be addressed proactively. — Karla Vallecillo, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaknesses
  1. faults
  2. shortcomings
  3. sins
  4. deficiencies
  5. failings
Noun
  • Taylor’s attorney, Barbara Berkowitz, caught up with PEOPLE and shared one of Taylor’s few faults.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Recently, Qnetic completed its first 100 continuous charge-discharge cycles with zero faults or degradation, a key indicator of its reliability.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of faults
Noun
  • The Jets, seeking to address their defensive shortcomings, signed safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the offseason.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Others, including Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently launched a crackdown on Venezuelan migrants in his country, will be tempted to stoke xenophobia to deflect blame for policy shortcomings.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of shortcomings
Noun
  • The sins of 2003 were not merely in launching a war but also in how the story was told and masked.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kaporos is intended to symbolize the transfer of one’s sins to a chicken.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of sins
Noun
  • Silver found that prisoners remained exposed to grave threats of harm and suffering because of systematic deficiencies in their healthcare.
    — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • After many picked the Rays to finish last in the AL East, Cash maximized the talent on his team and found ways to win, even with some clear roster deficiencies.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of deficiencies
Noun
  • The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller in the tower at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings.
    — Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of failings

Browse Nearby Words

weakness
weaknesses
weal
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Cite this Entry

“Weaknesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaknesses. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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