weak

Having little strength, power, or ability.

• I feel weak today.
• Her voice was weak after the illness.
• The signal is too weak to make a call.

How to use it: too weak to do something (He was too weak to lift the box.)

Similar words: feeble, frail

Opposites: strong

Common phrases: feel weak, weak muscles, weak signal

Having little taste or effect, often because too much water has been added.

• This tea is weak.
• He made some weak coffee for breakfast.
• Use a weak soap solution to clean the leaves.

Similar words: dilute, watery

Opposites: strong, concentrated

Common phrases: weak tea, weak coffee, weak solution

Likely to break or fail under weight or pressure.

• The rope is weak.
• A weak beam caused the roof to fall.
• They replaced the weak boards before anyone used the bridge.

How to use it: too weak to support something (The shelf is too weak to support these books.)

Similar words: flimsy, fragile

Opposites: strong, sturdy

Common phrases: weak rope, weak bridge, weak structure

Unable to resist what you want or what other people ask you to do.

• He has a weak will.
• My resolve was weak when she offered me cake.
• The manager was too weak to resist their pressure.

Similar words: weak-willed, spineless

Opposites: strong-willed, resolute

Common phrases: weak will, weak character, weak resolve

Bad, boring, or not impressive.

• That joke was weak.
• The party was pretty weak, so we left.
• That's a weak excuse for missing my birthday.

Similar words: lame, bad, uncool

Opposites: cool

Common phrases: pretty weak, weak joke, weak excuse