as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
argues that in a time of war, the country can't afford to have a weakling president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in coward
a person without strength of character
only a weakling would be willing to lie to save himself from punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 weakling
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
That spike—and especially the likelihood that after the conflict ends, costs will remain well above the prewar level—is hitting the weaklings far harder than the thriving warriors, especially the two biggest profitmakers, Delta and United.
—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
He's seen as a weakling, and he must be culled from the clan.
—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Separating the weakling from the herd only heightened their fear.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Noun
The diminutive vehicle isn’t a weakling, either.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
That spike—and especially the likelihood that after the conflict ends, costs will remain well above the prewar level—is hitting the weaklings far harder than the thriving warriors, especially the two biggest profitmakers, Delta and United.
—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
He's seen as a weakling, and he must be culled from the clan.
—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Separating the weakling from the herd only heightened their fear.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weakling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakling
Adjective
-
Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.
-
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.
Noun
-
For the anarchic, nearly surreal nature of the bits that make legendary cinematic daredevils ranging from Buster Keaton to Jackie Chan seem like wimps.
-
And this name sounds like a wimp to me.
Noun
-
That’s the sign of a true coward.
-
Fishback showed up at a Donalds campaign event in Lake City on Saturday with a bunch of supporters, shouting through a bullhorn that Donalds was a coward for not debating him and telling him to go back to New York, a reference to Donalds’ childhood in Brooklyn.
Adjective
-
The bacterium can also lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that is more common in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the release.
-
While anyone can get sick, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill.
Noun
-
Supporters of the Republican candidate, state Attorney General Ken Paxton, portray Democrats as wusses, cucks, soy boys who don’t follow sports.
-
Henry is a megalomaniac and a complete wuss.
Cite this Entry
“Weakling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
