Weaknesses: meaning, definitions and examples

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weaknesses

 

[ หˆwiหknษ™sษชz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

personal qualities

Weaknesses are areas where someone lacks strength or ability. They can be physical, mental, emotional, or even spiritual shortcomings. Identifying and acknowledging weaknesses is important for personal growth and development.

Synonyms

deficiencies, flaws, limitations, shortcomings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
weaknesses

Appropriate for general discussions about areas where someone or something lacks strength or capability. Commonly used in personal development or performance reviews.

  • His main weakness is his inability to manage time effectively.
  • Identifying your weaknesses can help you improve over time.
shortcomings

Describes areas where someone or something falls short of expectations or standards. It has a mild negative connotation and is often used in reviews or evaluations.

  • The product's main shortcoming is its high price.
  • Despite his shortcomings, he did his best to complete the project.
limitations

Discusses inherent restrictions or bounds that prevent someone or something from reaching full potential. Often used in technical, legal, or personal contexts.

  • Every technology has its limitations.
  • He was aware of his own limitations but continued to push forward.
flaws

Refers to imperfections or faults that detract from the overall quality or value of something. Commonly used in discussions about objects, plans, or characters.

  • Her argument contains several logical flaws.
  • The vase had a small flaw but was otherwise perfect.
deficiencies

Used when talking about the absence or shortfall of some essential quality or element. Often appears in technical, medical, or nutritional contexts.

  • The report highlighted several deficiencies in the current system.
  • Vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious health problems.

Examples of usage

  • Recognizing his weaknesses helped him improve himself.
  • She turned her weaknesses into strengths.
  • Learning from our weaknesses can make us stronger.
  • It's important to be aware of your weaknesses.
  • We all have weaknesses, and that's okay.
Context #2 | Noun

business

In a business context, weaknesses refer to internal factors that may hinder the company's performance or competitiveness. These can include lack of resources, outdated technology, poor management, or inadequate skills.

Synonyms

areas for improvement, challenges, vulnerabilities, weak points.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
weaknesses

General term for describing lack of strength in a skill, ability, or physical state.

  • His weaknesses in mathematics became apparent during the exam
challenges

Refers to difficulties or obstacles that require effort to overcome, often implying a manageable or positive perspective.

  • She faced many challenges in her new job, but she remained optimistic
vulnerabilities

Indicates openness to harm or attack, often used in relation to security, emotions, or physical health.

  • The software had several vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit
weak points

Describes specific parts or aspects of something that are not strong or effective, often used in tactical or strategic contexts.

  • The team's weak points were their defense and communication
areas for improvement

Used in professional or educational settings to indicate where someone can improve their skills or performance in a constructive way.

  • During the performance review, his manager highlighted several areas for improvement

Examples of usage

  • The company's weaknesses were identified during the SWOT analysis.
  • Addressing weaknesses is essential for business growth.
  • Improving weaknesses can lead to increased profitability.
  • Awareness of weaknesses helps in strategic planning.
  • Converting weaknesses into strengths is a key business strategy.

Translations

Translations of the word "weaknesses" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fraquezas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฎเคœเฅ‹เคฐเคฟเคฏเคพเค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schwรคchen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kelemahan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะฐะฑะบั– ัั‚ะพั€ะพะฝะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sล‚aboล›ci

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅผฑ็‚น

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท faiblesses

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ debilidades

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zayฤฑflฤฑklar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ฝ์ 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ู‚ุงุท ุงู„ุถุนู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slabiny

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ slabiny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅผฑ็‚น

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกibkosti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veikleikar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ะปัั–ะทะดั–ะบั‚ะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒกแƒฃแƒกแƒขแƒ”แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zษ™if nรถqtษ™lษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ debilidades

Etymology

The word 'weaknesses' originated from the Old English word 'wacness', which means lacking in strength. Over time, the term evolved to denote areas of vulnerability or deficiency. In the context of personal development, weaknesses are seen as opportunities for growth and improvement. In business, identifying weaknesses is crucial for strategic planning and competitive advantage.

See also: weak, weaken, weakened, weakening, weaker, weakling, weakly, weakness.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,276 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.