Weak Meaning
Weak Definition & Usage
Lacking physical strength, power, or endurance.
Examples
- "He felt weak after the long illness."
- "The chair’s legs were weak and wobbled when you sat on it."
- "She was too weak to lift the box on her own."
- "The storm caused a weak bridge to collapse."
- "His muscles became weak after months of bed rest."
Lacking strength or vigor in terms of resolve, willpower, or emotional resilience.
Examples
- "Her weak resolve led to her giving up too soon."
- "He made a weak argument during the debate."
- "It was a weak decision to cancel the event at the last minute."
- "She felt weak after hearing the bad news."
- "The weak performance of the team left the fans disappointed."
Not strong or effective in terms of influence, power, or impact.
Examples
- "The weak signal made it hard to make a call."
- "The weak economy is a concern for the upcoming election."
- "His weak leadership style didn’t inspire confidence in the team."
- "The weak coffee tasted watered down."
- "The arguments presented in the report were weak and lacked evidence."
Inferior or less intense compared to others.
Examples
- "The weak player was quickly eliminated in the game."
- "That was a weak attempt at solving the puzzle."
- "His weak performance in the tournament didn’t impress the scouts."
- "She gave a weak smile when she heard the news."
- "Their weak response to the crisis showed a lack of preparedness."
Cultural Context
The word 'weak' has a long history in the English language, originally from Old English 'wēac', which meant frail or feeble. Over time, its meanings expanded to include mental and emotional frailty, as well as the effectiveness of actions or things. The concept of 'weakness' has strong associations with both physical and mental attributes in Western culture, often carrying a negative connotation. However, in some contexts, 'weak' can also indicate vulnerability or fragility, which is not always seen as a flaw, but as something to be nurtured or protected.
The Weakness of Strength
Story
The Weakness of Strength
In a small village nestled between the mountains, there lived a young man named Ethan. Known for his brawn, he was the strongest in the village, a fact he wore as a badge of pride. Yet, when the harvest season arrived, and a severe storm hit the area, Ethan found himself struggling with something he had never faced before—his own emotional weakness. The storm had damaged many homes, and the villagers turned to Ethan for help. He was quick to offer his strength, lifting fallen beams and carrying supplies. But when he saw his elderly mother, weak and frail, huddling in the corner of their cottage, his confidence faltered. He had never seen his mother in such a state, and it broke him. He was strong physically, but the sight of her weakness made him feel powerless. As the days passed, Ethan’s actions became less about sheer strength and more about empathy. He had always prided himself on his physical power, but now, he found that the true strength lay in caring for others—understanding their vulnerabilities. It wasn’t just about lifting heavy loads anymore. He learned to listen to the concerns of his fellow villagers, many of whom had felt emotionally weak from the devastation. One evening, as he helped rebuild a neighbor’s roof, Ethan realized that true strength wasn’t just about being physically strong. It was about helping those who were weak—whether that meant lifting a heavy load or offering an ear. And in doing so, he had found a new sense of purpose. The next day, when the village was finally restored, Ethan stood before the people he had helped, a little less proud of his muscles and a lot more aware of the power of kindness. He had discovered the strength that comes from weakness, a lesson that would stay with him forever.
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