weaknessweak‧ness /ˈwiːknəs/ ●●○ W3 noun 
The legislation has a fundamental weakness. The plan has strengths and weaknesses.► see thesaurus at fault2lack of power [uncountable] lack of strength, power, or influenceweakness in weakness in the economyweakness of the growing weakness of local government3body [uncountable] the state of being physically weak: muscular weaknessweakness in weakness in the right arm4character [uncountable] lack of determination shown in someone’s behaviour: He couldn’t explain his weakness in giving in to her demands. I dared not cry or show any sign of weakness.weakness of his weakness of character5money [uncountable] the condition of not being worth a lot of moneyweakness of the weakness of the pound against the dollar6 a weakness for something if you have a weakness for something, you like it very much even though it may not be good for you: I have a real weakness for fashionable clothes.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Frank's biggest weakness is his lack of tolerance.
- muscle weakness
- the weakness of the country's law-making body
- the weakness of the yen against the dollar
- The car has some serious structural weaknesses.
- By contrast, it is easier to confirm an academic skill weakness through the use of standardized achievement tests.
- In fact my whole being was permeated by the leaden-armed pervading weakness one feels when forced to work in the small hours.
- It is a rare disease characterized by progressive liver enlargement or cirrhosis and muscular weakness by the age of 2 months.
- Never love me for my weaknesses, he wanted to say.
- The weakness of these controls throws the spotlight on the Police Complaints Authority composed of lay persons.
- There are two major weaknesses in biosensors.
- Weinstein said he wants to maintain it as a national brand despite its weaknesses in the Midwest and South.
THESAURUSsomething wrong
a problem in a machine, system, design etc that causes damage or makes it not work properly: · The fire was caused by an electrical fault.· a fault in the engine
a fault in something such as a product or machine, resulting from the way it was made or designed: · Cars are tested for defects before they leave the factory.
a part of a plan, system, or argument that is not as good as the other parts, and makes it likely to fail: · What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?
a fault in a plan, system, argument etc, especially one that makes it useless or not effective: · Your argument has a fundamental flaw.· There was one major flaw in his suggestion – we didn’t have enough money.
a fault in a computer program: · A bug in the system was quickly fixed.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be easily corrected: · I noticed a small glitch when installing the software.
something that is wrong in someone’s spelling, grammar, calculations etc: · The article was full of spelling mistakes.
used when saying that there is a problem in a machine, car etc, but you do not know what it is: · There’s something wrong with the computer – it won’t close down.
Longman Language Activatorsomething wrong with a machine, system, plan etc something wrong with one of the parts of a machine that prevents it from working properly: · Quality control staff are employed to check for any faults.fault in: · I think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.· The fault could be either in the tape or in the VCR.electrical/mechanical/technical etc fault: · The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
something wrong with a product or machine, especially caused by a mistake in the way it was made or designed: · All the computers are checked for defects before they leave the factory.defect in: · A defect in the braking system caused several accidents before the car was recalled.· Investigators found a defect in the design of the ship.
something that stops a machine or system from working normally: · Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems.problem with: · There seems to be some kind of problem with the heaters.problem in: · Engineers were unable to find the source of the problem in the spacecraft's cooling system.
something wrong with a machine, car etc, especially when you do not know exactly what is causing it: · If you have engine trouble, park as far to the side of the road as possible.have trouble: · If you used the same tape later and had no trouble with the picture, the problem is probably in the VCR.trouble with: · We've been having some trouble with the air-conditioning.the trouble (=the particular thing causing the problem): · I think we've found out what the trouble is.
something wrong with a plan, system, or set of ideas, which may make the whole thing useless or not effective: · His plan seemed foolproof, but I was sure there was a flaw somewhere.· The program has serious weaknesses, and I would avoid using it.flaw/weakness in: · There are several obvious flaws in his argument.· One major weakness in the study is that it is based on a very small sample.
a small problem in a computer or a computer system: · The program suffers from some minor bugs, but is still better than the first version.· Some chips contained a bug that caused computers to crash frequently.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be corrected easily: · As the glitches are found and corrected, the process is speeding up.glitch in: · A glitch in the system shut down the telephone service to nearly 6 million customers. technical/mechanical etc glitch: · NASA officials found a way to work around the technical glitch on the Galileo spacecraft.
a set of instructions that someone puts secretly into other people's computers, that can destroy information stored in them or stop them working correctly: · The disk was accidentally infected with a virus called "Stoned III".· Computer users from around the world reported that the virus had invaded their systems.· an anti-virus program
spoken say this when there is a problem in a machine, part of a car etc, but you do not know exactly what it is: · I think there's something wrong with the clutch in my car.· I don't know what's the matter with it, but I can't get it to work.· There are programs that will help you figure out what's wrong with your PC, and help you correct it.
a fault in someone's character a bad point in someone's character: · The secret of a good relationship is to accept the other person's faults, and not try to make them change.have his/her/their faults: · She's my best friend and I love her dearly, but she has her faults.for all his/her/their faults (=even though they have these faults): · For all his faults, he was a good father.
a small fault in someone's character or a lack of a good quality such as courage or good judgement: · The flaw that leads to Othello's downfall is his jealousy.· The biographer believes that flaws in Kennedy's character weakened his leadership of the nation.· Despite his weaknesses, he was a fair man.
the faults in someone's character - use this especially when you are saying that the person has good qualities too: · He acknowledged his own shortcomings, including at times being stubborn and a little vain.· Whatever his shortcomings, Hamilton was one of the great men in American history.
to like something that could be bad for you to like something so much that you cannot refuse it when it is offered to you: · My mother could never resist expensive perfumes.can't resist doing something: · I couldn't resist stopping by the bakery on the way home.
informal to like a particular kind of food, drink, or activity, even though you know it is not good for you or that other people might not approve of it: · Too many of the men in our family have a weakness for alcohol.· I have to admit I have a weakness for daytime soap operas.
to like something such as a particular food or drink, especially when you eat or drink it more than you should: · He was particularly partial to my mother's home-made wine.
to like something or like doing something, especially something that could be bad or dangerous. This is often used humorously about something that is not really very bad: · She's not averse to the occasional glass of wine.not be averse to doing something: · The company is highly competitive and not averse to taking risks.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The plan has strengths and weaknesses. I dared not cry or show any sign of weakness. I have a real weakness for fashionable clothes.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice.
The plan has strengths and weaknesses. I dared not cry or show any sign of weakness. I have a real weakness for fashionable clothes. The report exposes the weaknesses of modern medical practice. (=fault)· She points out the fundamental weaknesses in his argument.
· All technologies have different strengths and weaknesses.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The political weakness of the commoners corresponded to their economic weakness.· But the peasantry as a whole remained in a condition of extreme economic weakness.· It was conscious of Britain's economic weaknesses and the public's desire to concentrate on domestic problems.· Our low level of investment in science and technology is an indicator of our relative economic weakness.
· Behind these passing issues, however, lies a more fundamental weakness special to Britain.· This pinpoints a fundamental weakness in the libertarian defence of a market economy.· As the 1960s rolled on, fundamental weaknesses of the system were revealed, centring on the contradictory role of the dollar.· It is that position of fundamental weakness and poverty that forces them to apply for the Government's student loans.
· That is the strength of science, and its greatest weakness.· For the great weakness of feudal jurisdiction lay in its lack of muscle to enforce the appearance of both parties in court.· However, herein lies the Army's greatest weakness in the bargaining process.· I do try to keep away from fattening foods, but my greatest weakness is chocolate cake.· It was also, as we shall see later, to prove to be one of its greatest weaknesses.· I have a great weakness for fresh herbs and love the scent of basil and tarragon.· Profuse, clammy sweat; great weakness even to collapse.· It's his greatest weakness as a counsellor.
· Prejudice is another human weakness, and like our emotions does not disappear at conversion.· To make love to a girl-a student. Human physical weakness stronger than the mind.· Here is a Messiah who by becoming one of us knows all about human weakness, about human life and development.· Anyone who worked with him recognised his uncanny ability to find something oddly heroic in all the manifestations of human weakness.· They are climbing to deny human weakness.· As Quigley, the entrepreneurial fixer, he brought warmth and an understanding of human weakness to the character.· Like all criminal gangs, Famlio specializes in profiting from human weaknesses such as pleasure, greed and fear.
· One of the inherent weaknesses of the modern squad system is that a close-knit clique becomes impervious to failure and criticism.· The military had placed the island city in the best possible defense posture, considering the inherent weakness of its geographic position.· These are inherent weaknesses that are best exploited only indirectly, lest criticism backfire.
· The main weakness of these republican reforms was that they threatened fundamental change but didn't fully implement it.· Perhaps the main weakness in the text, which accounts for a number of others, is the methodology employed.· The main area of weakness lies in the political arena.· But Carter's main weakness lay in dealing with Congress.
· This survey points to two major weaknesses in the Solihull voluntary scheme.· Discuss its major weakness. 6.· There are two major weaknesses in biosensors.· One of the major weaknesses is, perhaps, a lack of sufficient follow-up on the recommendations.· That government has shown two major weaknesses: its failure to understand either the struggle or the indigenous mentality.· The other major weakness of the proposals is that they do not properly identify the nature of the problem.· The staple elements in the ordinary revenue revealed some major points of weakness.· This section attempts to identify the major strengths and weaknesses of these two systems.
· But these women also employed medical definitions of physical and mental weakness as an effective tactical weapon in the battle with men.· Human physical weakness stronger than the mind.· Even to being impulsive, an uncontrolled state of irritability; it is a weakness and is accompanied by physical weakness.· Darwinism showed that extinction was the result of physical weakness or unfitness for purpose.· Both May and Bert are determined not to give in to their physical weaknesses.· Then his weaknesses - alcohol, drugs, any physical weakness such as being a diabetic.· In spite of his physical weakness Harry was busy.· Moreover, because of their physical and mental weakness women were clearly incapable of qualifying as doctors themselves.
· The political weakness of the commoners corresponded to their economic weakness.· Alarcon effectively turned his political weakness into political strength, analysts say.· But hysteric she was, subject to the fatal political weakness of collapsing in time of trouble.· What motivated Louis was neither political weakness nor a suddenly-discovered conscience.
· This relative weakness centred on manufacturing industry.· The problem ultimately lies in the relative weakness of the Third World economy in the world capitalist system.· Page description languages are currently a hot topic with much being written about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various offerings.· Our low level of investment in science and technology is an indicator of our relative economic weakness.
· We saw that this theory has serious weaknesses in terms of lacking supporting evidence and analytical strength.· Aside from its dubious cultural charm, there are serious structural weaknesses which may one day embarrass us.· This is a serious weakness in an approach intended to aid understanding of religion.· This is a serious weakness for causal analysis using any of these explanatory approaches.· Both of these points of view have serious weaknesses, but in fact the one-phoneme analysis is generally chosen by phonologists.· This highlights a serious weakness in his philosophy.· The only serious weakness is the radio system.· The 1740 invasion scare revealed some serious weaknesses in the nation's defences.
· Aside from its dubious cultural charm, there are serious structural weaknesses which may one day embarrass us.
NOUN· There is often associated muscle weakness and sometimes heart problems can occur.· There may also be numbness or muscle weakness occurring in a segmental pattern.· Low vitamin D also is associated with muscle weakness, which could contribute to a fall.· Watch for asymmetry of eyelid blinking or evidence of lower facial muscle weakness.· But the loss of motor strip tends to produce muscle weakness and, if the damage is extensive enough, paralysis.
VERB· Our sinister cop is able to exploit that weakness by offering a sympathetic ear.· This short-term outlook enables them to exploit the weakness of their customers without worrying about the long-term effects on customer relations.· Successive governments have exploited our weakness for anything tax-free with a series of investment schemes.
· They exposed strengths and weaknesses they didn't know were theirs.· College had exposed weaknesses they had been able to ignore in the past.· Her decision has left Congress headless and embarrassed at having exposed its weakness.· The Rush die scandal has exposed the weaknesses of any benign multiculturalism premised on the assumption of easy harmony and pluralism.· In addition, Joanne felt that the new approach exposed her weaknesses as a teacher.
· The effect has been to highlight weaknesses in each of the traditional interpretations and to demythologize the revolutionary intelligentsia.· He told the Institute of Chartered Accountants that recent failures had highlighted weaknesses in accounts.· This highlights a serious weakness in his philosophy.· Here, however, Wallas highlighted a particular weakness within Fabianism.
· From this the person is expected to identify strengths and weaknesses in performance and then put forward proposals for change.· If this is to identify a Warwickshire weakness, it must be said that the 1991 season exceeded all predictions.· To examine the experience of care in the community for Down's Syndrome adults in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses.· It can identify weaknesses in systems and procedures.· Consumers are rightly suspicious of companies' motives and will quickly identify any weaknesses of the campaign.
· And please help me too, Lord, to begin to overcome my weaknesses in this area of conflict with others.· Such a child also needs help in learning to use her strengths as an ally in overcoming her vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
· They have also revealed weaknesses within the current education systems.· Railtrack later revealed that weaknesses had been identified in the section of track 10 months ago.· Variances may often reveal weaknesses in control systems which should be rectified.· This theme too reveals both strengths and weaknesses in his interpretation of religion.· Time will no doubt reveal more of his weaknesses galore.
· Both are today showing signs of weakness, but they are still far short of the east-coast mess.· It had long shown signs of weakness.· He could not speak and he would not make any gesture that would show weakness.· This shows the weakness of your heart.· That government has shown two major weaknesses: its failure to understand either the struggle or the indigenous mentality.· But I dared not cry nor show any sign of weakness.· The forces of Chaos fought on showing neither weakness nor mercy.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Lisa has a weakness for handsome young men.
- He knew he could get away with asking her to do this - she had a bit of a weakness for him.
- Intellectuals have a weakness for the prurient, I read somewhere.
- Mondell had a weakness for flattery and a less than athletic mind, and Roosevelt was a master at exploiting both.
- We are walking time bombs, but I have a weakness for small-town libraries.
- We thought he had a weakness for us and our Empire.
- He caught me in a moment of weakness.
- I had a moment of panic.
- In a moment of madness Rosenoir kicked Alan Kernaghan as he lay on the ground.
- In a moment of weakness the President had accepted the invitation.
- It was a moment of madness.
- She rang the doorbell, listened to the silence within and felt a moment of panic.
- What mattered was that one of the legs had been used by the gang in a moment of panic.
WORD FAMILYnounweaklingweaknessadjectiveweakverbweakenadverbweakly
1fault [countable] a fault in someone’s character or in a system, organization, design etc: The legislation has a fundamental weakness. The plan has strengths and weaknesses.► see thesaurus at fault2lack of power [uncountable] lack of strength, power, or influenceweakness in weakness in the economyweakness of the growing weakness of local government3body [uncountable] the state of being physically weak: muscular weaknessweakness in weakness in the right arm4character [uncountable] lack of determination shown in someone’s behaviour: He couldn’t explain his weakness in giving in to her demands. I dared not cry or show any sign of weakness.weakness of his weakness of character5money [uncountable] the condition of not being worth a lot of moneyweakness of the weakness of the pound against the dollar6 a weakness for something if you have a weakness for something, you like it very much even though it may not be good for you: I have a real weakness for fashionable clothes.