What does weak-kneed mean?
Weak-kneed means (figuratively) Lacking will power or strength of character; timid..
Weak-kneed
Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective
Meaning
(figuratively) Lacking will power or strength of character; timid..
Definitions by Sense
- (figuratively) Lacking will power or strength of character; timid.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see weak, kneed.
Example Sentences
It is incontrovertible that the children grow up into rotten adults, without virility or stamina, a weak-kneed, narrow-chested, listless breed, that crumples up and goes down in the brute struggle for life.
What these teenagers are weighing is at the very heart of Gandhian philosophy: "His absolute insistence on nonviolence, which young men see as pussyfooted and weak-kneed and — dare I say — feminine and hence not macho enough," says Guha, the biographer.
Synonyms for weak-kneed
Antonyms for weak-kneed
Related Words
Word Forms
- more weak-kneed
- most weak-kneed
- weak in the knees
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for weak-kneed?
Common synonyms include irresolute.
What is the opposite of weak-kneed?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use weak-kneed in a sentence?
It is incontrovertible that the children grow up into rotten adults, without virility or stamina, a weak-kneed, narrow-chested, listless breed, that crumples up and goes down in the brute struggle for life.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.