Achilles' heel

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

Relevance

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
Noun
  • But many voters turned their backs on the party when Lula and other leaders became embroiled in corruption scandals in the 2010s.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than putting the rock into the arms of one of his reliable running backs and brute-forcing the 2 yards, Danielson kept the ball in fifth-year quarterback Maddux Madsen’s hands.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Taylor Swift is often at her best in autumn shades, and her signature combination of boots, mini skirt and a turtleneck has always struck me as the wardrobe of someone with a soft spot for pumpkin spice season.
    — Olivia Allen, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Coyuchi’s soft goods have earned a soft spot in our hearts for their durable, organic fabrication.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Achilles%27%20heel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster