WEAKLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

weakly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwē-klē

Definition of weakly

as in fragile

chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health a weakly baby who required repeated hospitalizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weakly

2 of 2

adverb

as in feebly

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Dissimilar Words

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 weakly

Adverb

Led by Arne Güllich, researchers analyzed the developmental histories of 35,000 world-class adults, including Nobel laureates and Olympians, finding early excellence is weakly linked to adult achievement. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Native traditions have repeatedly been acknowledged in principle – named, counted, formally recognized – but weakly protected in practice. — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 Molecular design matters Unlike conventional porous carbon materials that interact weakly with polysulfides, covalent organic frameworks can be engineered with precise pore structures and chemical functionalities. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 The surface of the bacterial cell contains many chemical structures that can weakly attract and hold onto nanoplastics. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026 After a long at-bat, Cholowsky weakly popped out to first base. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 29 May 2026 There will be disappointment about Mateta’s goal — Wharton should have been closed down quicker, and Batalla should not have parried the ball so weakly. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026 The tree branches are also weakly attached to the trunks and prone to splitting apart during storms and harsh weather events, Zieche said. — Jerry Wu, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Eight balloons sway weakly in the wind above a makeshift memorial – eight crosses staked into the damp ground, covered in handwritten messages. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakly

Adjective

When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface, forcing both women to confront grief, faith, ambition, and the fragile bonds that hold a family together.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
The characters aren’t simply vulnerable—they’re contradictory and fragile.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adverb

The soil should be moist, faintly acid smelling, from its infusion of decayed compost.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
Suddenly, her parents’ cheerful transparency—their coarse jokes, their eagerness to name things that should not be named—appeared to Nidhi in a faintly embarrassing light.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of faintly

Adjective

In the last decade, Jackson has paid a Miami company more than $35 million to discharge mostly frail patients with nowhere to go into assisted living beds.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Up there, the wind is your neighbor, whistling through the walls and frail window panes.

— Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

Seeing her daughter in that state, babbling nonsense and barely able to stand, Letizia had goggled with the watery eyes of a sickly old lady.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
The woman’s body, painted in blazing magenta, is wrapped around a man rendered in sickly olive green, her head disappearing into his chest.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of sickly

Adverb

The classic profile is gently supportive for back and stomach sleepers, while the contoured option offers enhanced comfort and support for side and back sleepers.

— V BRAND STORIES, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
As the pancake cooks, gently press the cream towards the cake so it will be absorbed.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of gently

Browse Nearby Words

weaklings

weakly

weak-minded

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Cite this Entry

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“Weakly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of weakly

adjective

adverb

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