weaknesses
Chinks in armor
Weaknesses is the plural of weakness—areas where someone or something falls short or is vulnerable.
A person's weaknesses might be character flaws, gaps in knowledge, or susceptibilities: Chocolate is my weakness.
In strategic contexts, weaknesses are points that can be exploited: The report identified weaknesses in the company's cybersecurity.
The word often pairs with strengths in assessments of people, plans, or organizations.
Fault or shortcoming
- faultImperfection or blame
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- flawImperfection in something
blemish · failing · drawback · Achilles heel · blind spot · chink in armor · pitfall · deficiency
Weakness from illness or age
- debilityImpaired strength or vitality
- frailtyWeakness of body
- feeblenessLack of strength
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
enfeeblement · fatigue · exhaustion · languor · malaise · decline · impairment · fragility
Liability to influence
- exposureState of being unprotected
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
exploitability · penetrability · insecurity · precariousness · soft spot · tender spot · liability · risk
Absence of bravery
- timidityFearful lack of courage
- indecisionFailure to decide
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
- spinelessnessLack of courage
pusillanimity · wavering · hesitancy · self-doubt · insecurity · gullibility · naivety · temptation
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
barrier · hindrance · shortfall · bottleneck · ceiling · cap · encumbrance · restraint
imperfection
Fault or shortcoming
- faultImperfection or blame
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
flaw · blemish · failing · drawback · Achilles heel · blind spot · chink in armor · pitfall · deficiency · inadequacy
infirmity
Weakness from illness or age
- debilityImpaired strength or vitality
- frailtyWeakness of body
- feeblenessLack of strength
delicacy · enfeeblement · fatigue · exhaustion · languor · malaise · decline · impairment · fragility · prostration
susceptibility
Liability to influence
- exposureState of being unprotected
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- opennessQuality of being accessible
sensitivity · exploitability · penetrability · insecurity · precariousness · soft spot · tender spot · liability · risk · threat
cowardice
Absence of bravery
- timidityFearful lack of courage
- indecisionFailure to decide
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
spinelessness · pusillanimity · wavering · hesitancy · self-doubt · insecurity · gullibility · naivety · temptation · vice
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
obstacle · barrier · hindrance · shortfall · bottleneck · ceiling · cap · encumbrance · restraint · curtailment
- character traitspersonality, virtue, temperament, honor, disposition
- Comparison Termssimilarities, differences, comparisons, contrasts, pros
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
- Limitationsflaws, defects, bugs, glitches, restrictions
- self-evaluationself-assessment, self-evaluation, self-review, self-reflection, self-analysis
- hidden thingssecrets, motives, agendas, subtext, undercurrents
weaknessesstrengths
Powers or capabilities
strong points · strong suits · talents · abilities · skills
weaknessesstrengths
Powers or capabilities
reinforcements · fortifications · robustness · resilience · durability
weaknessesstrengths
Powers or capabilities
advantages · assets · benefits · competitive advantages · edges
- human weaknessInherent mortal vulnerability
- moment of weakness
- hidden weakness
- muscle weaknessReduced contractile capacity
- weakness of willFailing to follow conviction
- structural weaknessFlaw in construction integrity