Top 43 Slang For Weak – Meaning & Usage

In a world where strength and resilience are often celebrated, it’s important to remember that there’s power in vulnerability too. Discover the top slang words that describe weakness and embrace the beauty of being human. Whether you want to expand your vocabulary or simply stay up-to-date with the latest trends, this listicle is here to help you navigate the world of slang and appreciate the diverse ways we express ourselves.

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Wimpy

This term is often used to describe someone who is physically or emotionally feeble. It can also imply a lack of assertiveness or resilience.

  • For example, “He was too wimpy to stand up to the bully.”
  • In a discussion about fitness, someone might say, “I used to be wimpy, but now I’m training to be strong.”
  • A person might describe a disappointing performance as “pretty wimpy.”

2. Lame

This word is used to describe something that is considered dull, uninteresting, or subpar. It can also refer to someone who is unexciting or unimpressive.

  • For instance, “That movie was so lame, I fell asleep halfway through.”
  • In a conversation about a party, a person might say, “The music was lame, so I left early.”
  • Someone might describe a joke as “lame” if it fails to elicit laughter.

3. Flimsy

This term is used to describe something that is lacking in strength or durability. It can also refer to an argument or justification that is weak or unconvincing.

  • For example, “The flimsy tent collapsed in the strong wind.”
  • In a product review, someone might say, “The packaging was flimsy and fell apart.”
  • A person might describe a defense strategy as “flimsy” if it can be easily refuted.

4. Feeble

This word is used to describe someone or something that is weak or lacking in strength. It can also imply a lack of energy or vitality.

  • For instance, “The feeble old man struggled to lift the heavy box.”
  • In a discussion about a sports team, a person might say, “Their offense was feeble and couldn’t score any points.”
  • Someone might describe a half-hearted attempt as “feeble.”

5. Soft

This term is often used to describe someone who is not strong or assertive. It can also imply a lack of determination or resistance to pressure.

  • For example, “He’s too soft to handle the physical demands of the job.”
  • In a discussion about competition, a person might say, “They have a soft defense that’s easily exploited.”
  • Someone might describe a person who gives in easily as “soft.”

6. Pathetic

This term is used to describe someone or something that is extremely lacking in strength or ability. It is often used in a derogatory manner to belittle or insult someone’s capabilities.

  • For example, “He couldn’t even lift a 5-pound weight. How pathetic.”
  • In a sports context, someone might say, “Their performance was pathetic. They didn’t even score a single point.”
  • A person might use this term to describe a disappointing movie or book by saying, “The plot was predictable and the characters were pathetic.”

7. Pansy

This term is often used to insult or mock someone who is considered to be lacking in toughness or masculinity. It is a derogatory term that perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

  • For instance, someone might say, “Stop being such a pansy and toughen up.”
  • In a bullying situation, a person might taunt, “Look at you, crying like a little pansy.”
  • This term should be avoided as it promotes harmful stereotypes and can be hurtful to others.

8. Wussy

This slang term is a derogatory way to describe someone who is perceived as lacking in strength or courage. It is a blend of the words “wimp” and “pussy,” further emphasizing the notion of weakness.

  • For example, “He’s too wussy to stand up for himself.”
  • In a teasing manner, someone might say, “Don’t be such a wussy and try something new.”
  • It’s important to note that using this term can be offensive and hurtful, so it should be avoided.

9. Jellyfish

This term compares a weak or indecisive person to a jellyfish, which is soft and lacks a backbone. It is often used to criticize someone for their lack of assertiveness or inability to stand up for themselves.

  • For instance, “She’s such a jellyfish. She never speaks up for what she wants.”
  • In a work setting, someone might say, “Don’t be a jellyfish. Stand up for your ideas.”
  • It’s important to consider the impact of using this term, as it can be hurtful and demeaning to others.

10. Lightweight

This term is often used to describe someone who is unable to tolerate or handle a certain amount of alcohol or drugs, but it can also be used more broadly to describe someone who is easily overwhelmed or unable to handle a particular situation.

  • For example, “He’s such a lightweight. After one drink, he’s already stumbling.”
  • In a sports context, someone might say, “He’s a lightweight when it comes to endurance. He gets tired after running just a mile.”
  • It’s important to be mindful when using this term, as it can be seen as derogatory and dismissive of someone’s abilities or limitations.
See also  Top 25 Slang For Enables – Meaning & Usage

11. Pusillanimous

This word is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. It is often used to criticize someone for being weak or lacking bravery.

  • For example, “He refused to stand up for himself and was called pusillanimous by his friends.”
  • In a political debate, someone might say, “The candidate’s pusillanimous response to the crisis showed a lack of leadership.”
  • A sports commentator might criticize a player by saying, “His pusillanimous performance on the field cost his team the game.”

12. Spineless

This term is used to describe someone who is weak, indecisive, or easily influenced. It implies a lack of strength or courage to stand up for oneself.

  • For instance, “He always caves in to peer pressure and is often called spineless.”
  • In a discussion about leadership, someone might say, “A good leader cannot be spineless; they need to make tough decisions.”
  • A friend might express frustration by saying, “I can’t rely on him, he’s too spineless to take a stand.”

13. Milquetoast

This slang term is used to describe someone who is timid, meek, or easily dominated. It suggests a lack of assertiveness or strength of character.

  • For example, “He’s such a milquetoast, he never stands up for himself.”
  • In a workplace setting, someone might say, “The milquetoast manager is easily manipulated by his subordinates.”
  • A character in a book might be described as “a milquetoast protagonist who struggles to find their voice.”

14. Flabby

This term is used to describe someone who is physically weak, lacking muscle tone, or out of shape. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is mentally or emotionally weak.

  • For instance, “He’s been skipping the gym and is starting to look flabby.”
  • In a fitness discussion, someone might say, “Regular exercise helps prevent flabby muscles.”
  • A critic might describe a weak performance by saying, “The actor’s flabby delivery lacked conviction.”

15. Wishy-washy

This slang term is used to describe someone who is indecisive, lacking firmness, or easily swayed. It suggests a lack of strength or conviction in one’s opinions or actions.

  • For example, “He can never make up his mind and is often called wishy-washy.”
  • In a political debate, someone might criticize a candidate by saying, “Their wishy-washy stance on the issue shows a lack of leadership.”
  • A friend might express frustration by saying, “I can’t rely on her, she’s too wishy-washy to stick to her plans.”

16. Limp

This term is often used to describe someone or something that lacks physical or mental strength. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is ineffective or inadequate.

  • For example, “He walked with a limp after injuring his leg.”
  • In a sports context, someone might say, “Their offense was limp throughout the game.”
  • A person might describe a weak argument as, “His defense was limp and unconvincing.”

17. Ineffectual

This word describes something or someone that is unable to achieve the desired outcome or lacks effectiveness. It implies a lack of power or capability.

  • For instance, “Their attempts to fix the problem were ineffectual.”
  • In a political context, someone might say, “The government’s response to the crisis was ineffectual and inadequate.”
  • A person might describe a weak leader as, “He was an ineffectual manager who couldn’t make tough decisions.”

18. Toothless

This term is often used to describe someone or something that is weak, feeble, or ineffective. It can also imply a lack of authority or ability to enforce rules or restrictions.

  • For example, “The toothless old man struggled to lift the heavy box.”
  • In a legal context, someone might say, “The toothless regulations allowed companies to exploit loopholes.”
  • A person might describe a weak argument as, “His response was toothless and failed to address the main point.”

19. Faint

This word describes something that is weak, feeble, or barely perceptible. It can refer to physical strength, emotions, or signals.

  • For instance, “She felt faint after standing in the heat for too long.”
  • In a musical context, someone might say, “The faint sound of the violin added a haunting atmosphere to the performance.”
  • A person might describe a weak signal as, “The radio reception was faint and full of static.”

20. Frail

This term is often used to describe someone or something that is physically weak, fragile, or delicate. It can also imply a lack of resilience or strength.

  • For example, “The elderly woman was frail and needed assistance.”
  • In a health context, someone might say, “His immune system was frail and susceptible to infections.”
  • A person might describe a weak structure as, “The frail bridge couldn’t withstand the strong winds.”

21. Fragile

This term refers to something or someone that is easily broken or damaged. It can also be used to describe someone who is emotionally or physically weak.

  • For example, “Be careful with that vase, it’s very fragile.”
  • In a discussion about someone’s health, one might say, “After the accident, his body became fragile.”
  • A person might describe themselves as fragile when talking about their emotions, saying, “I’m feeling fragile right now, so please be gentle with me.”

22. Pushover

This slang term is used to describe someone who is easily influenced or controlled by others. It implies that the person lacks assertiveness or the ability to stand up for themselves.

  • For instance, “He always gives in to his friends’ demands. He’s such a pushover.”
  • In a conversation about relationships, someone might say, “I need to find a partner who isn’t a pushover.”
  • A person might describe themselves as a pushover when reflecting on a situation, saying, “I let people walk all over me. I need to stop being such a pushover.”

23. Lousy

This slang term is used to describe something or someone that is of poor quality or not up to standards. It can also be used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction.

  • For example, “The service at that restaurant was lousy.”
  • In a discussion about a movie, someone might say, “I watched that film last night, and it was really lousy.”
  • A person might express their frustration by saying, “I’m having a lousy day. Everything seems to be going wrong.”

24. Crappy

This slang term is used to describe something that is of low quality or not very good. It can also be used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment.

  • For instance, “I bought this cheap phone, but it turned out to be really crappy.”
  • In a conversation about a restaurant, someone might say, “I had a meal there last night, and it was really crappy.”
  • A person might complain about their living conditions by saying, “I hate this crappy apartment. It’s falling apart.”

25. Shaky

This term is used to describe something or someone that is not steady or secure. It can also be used to describe someone who lacks confidence or is uncertain.

  • For example, “The table was shaky, so we had to put something under one of the legs.”
  • In a discussion about someone’s performance, one might say, “Her presentation was a bit shaky. She seemed nervous.”
  • A person might describe themselves as feeling shaky when talking about their emotions, saying, “I’m feeling really shaky about this job interview.”

26. Dinky

Dinky is a slang term used to describe something or someone that is small, unimportant, or insignificant. It can be used to mock or belittle someone or something’s size or stature.

  • For example, “That dinky little car won’t be able to handle off-road terrain.”
  • When referring to a person, someone might say, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just a dinky little guy.”
  • In a conversation about technology, someone might comment, “The new smartphone has a dinky screen compared to other models.”

27. Puny

Puny is a slang term used to describe something or someone that is weak, feeble, or lacking in strength or power. It is often used to mock or insult someone’s physical strength or to describe something as small or insignificant.

  • For instance, “He couldn’t even lift that puny weight.”
  • When talking about a sports team, someone might say, “Their offense was puny compared to the opposing team.”
  • In a discussion about a small animal, someone might comment, “Look at that puny little mouse.”

28. Rinky-dink

Rinky-dink is a slang term used to describe something or someone that is of low quality, poorly made, or insignificant. It is often used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with something.

  • For example, “I can’t believe they expect us to work in this rinky-dink office.”
  • When talking about a small town, someone might say, “It’s just a rinky-dink place with nothing to do.”
  • In a conversation about a cheap product, someone might comment, “I bought this rinky-dink toy for my kid, and it broke within minutes.”

29. Runt

Runt is a slang term used to describe the smallest or weakest animal in a litter, especially when referring to a litter of animals such as puppies or kittens. It can also be used to describe a person who is small or weak in comparison to others.

  • For instance, “The runt of the litter had to fight for food.”
  • When talking about a group of friends, someone might say, “I’m always the runt of the group when it comes to sports.”
  • In a discussion about siblings, someone might comment, “My older brother always teased me for being the runt of the family.”

30. Sissy

Sissy is a slang term used to describe someone, usually a man or boy, who is perceived as being cowardly, weak, or effeminate. It is often used to mock or belittle someone’s masculinity or bravery.

  • For example, “He’s too much of a sissy to try extreme sports.”
  • When teasing a friend, someone might say, “Don’t be such a sissy, it’s just a little spider.”
  • In a conversation about gender stereotypes, someone might comment, “Calling someone a sissy is harmful and perpetuates toxic masculinity.”

31. Dull

This term is used to describe something that lacks excitement or stimulation.

  • For example, “The movie was so dull that I fell asleep halfway through.”
  • A person might say, “I find math class to be incredibly dull.”
  • Another might comment, “The party was a bit dull, not much going on.”

32. Jelly

This slang term is used to describe someone who is envious or covetous of someone else’s possessions, achievements, or qualities.

  • For instance, “She’s so jelly of her friend’s new car.”
  • A person might say, “Don’t be jelly just because I got a promotion.”
  • Another might comment, “He’s always jelly whenever someone gets more attention than him.”

33. Dainty

This term is used to describe something that is small, delicate, or fragile in nature.

  • For example, “She held the dainty teacup with grace.”
  • A person might say, “I love wearing dainty jewelry, it adds a feminine touch.”
  • Another might comment, “The dainty flowers added a touch of elegance to the table setting.”

34. Soggy

This slang term is used to describe something that is wet, damp, or soaked through with liquid.

  • For instance, “The cereal became soggy after sitting in milk for too long.”
  • A person might say, “I hate when my socks get soggy after walking in the rain.”
  • Another might comment, “The rain made the ground soggy and muddy.”

35. Sluggish

This term is used to describe something or someone that is slow, lethargic, or lacking in energy or motivation.

  • For example, “I feel so sluggish after a big meal.”
  • A person might say, “The computer was running sluggish, it needs to be restarted.”
  • Another might comment, “I couldn’t keep up with the game, I was feeling sluggish.”

36. Impotent

This slang term refers to someone who lacks power, strength, or effectiveness. It is often used figuratively to describe someone who is unable to achieve their goals or make an impact.

  • For example, someone might say, “He’s so impotent, he couldn’t even get a promotion.”
  • In a discussion about politics, someone might comment, “The government’s response to the crisis was impotent and ineffective.”
  • Another might say, “She’s an impotent leader who can’t make tough decisions.”

37. Subpar

This slang term describes something that is below the expected or desired standard. It is often used to criticize or express disappointment in the quality or performance of something.

  • For instance, someone might say, “The food at that restaurant was subpar, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
  • In a review of a movie, someone might write, “The acting was subpar and the plot was predictable.”
  • Another might comment, “The team’s subpar performance cost them the game.”

38. Dweebish

This slang term is used to describe someone who is socially awkward, uncool, or overly studious. It is often used in a lighthearted or teasing manner.

  • For example, someone might say, “He’s so dweebish, always carrying around his science textbooks.”
  • In a conversation about fashion, someone might comment, “That outfit is a bit dweebish, don’t you think?”
  • Another might tease, “Stop being so dweebish and come join us at the party.”

39. Chicken-hearted

This slang term is used to describe someone who is easily scared or lacks courage. It is often used in a derogatory manner to criticize someone’s bravery or resilience.

  • For instance, someone might say, “He’s so chicken-hearted, he wouldn’t even go on the roller coaster.”
  • In a discussion about facing fears, someone might comment, “Don’t be chicken-hearted, take a leap of faith.”
  • Another might tease, “Are you too chicken-hearted to try something new?”

40. Faint-hearted

This slang term describes someone who is timid, easily discouraged, or lacking in courage. It is often used to criticize someone’s ability to face challenges or take risks.

  • For example, someone might say, “She’s too faint-hearted to pursue her dreams.”
  • In a conversation about sports, someone might comment, “The team’s faint-hearted performance cost them the championship.”
  • Another might tease, “Don’t be faint-hearted, take a chance and see what happens.”

41. Timid

This term refers to someone who is easily scared or hesitant to take risks. It can also describe someone who is shy or introverted.

  • For example, “He’s too timid to speak up in class.”
  • In a discussion about a sports player, one might say, “He needs to be more aggressive on the field, he’s been playing too timid.”
  • A friend might comment, “You need to be less timid and go after what you want in life.”

42. Piddling

This word is used to describe something that is small, trivial, or of little consequence. It can also be used to describe someone who is weak or feeble.

  • For instance, “Don’t waste your time on such a piddling task.”
  • In a conversation about a person’s abilities, one might say, “His piddling efforts won’t get him far.”
  • A teacher might criticize a student’s work by saying, “Your essay was filled with piddling arguments and lacked depth.”

43. Spaghetti-armed

This term is used to describe someone who lacks strength in their arms. It implies that the person is unable to perform physically demanding tasks or lacks the ability to defend themselves.

  • For example, “He couldn’t even lift a heavy box, he’s completely spaghetti-armed.”
  • In a discussion about a sports player, one might say, “He needs to hit the gym and build some muscle, he’s too spaghetti-armed.”
  • A friend might joke, “I wouldn’t rely on you to open a jar, you’re too spaghetti-armed.”