What does weaker mean?
Weaker is the comparative form of weak and is used when comparing strength, power, force, effectiveness, support, or conviction. Saying that one option is weaker than another indicates that it has less capacity or effectiveness in the relevant respect: a weaker economy may grow more slowly, while a weaker argument is less persuasive or less thoroughly supported. The comparison can be physical, as with a damaged structure, or abstract, as with legislation, evidence, or an organization’s influence. Because weak has several related meanings, weaker follows the meaning of the word it modifies rather than referring only to physical strength. It is common in formal writing, journalism, legal and economic discussion, and everyday conversation. Although weaker can occasionally function as an adverb, especially in expressions such as “play weaker,” “more weakly” may be preferred in formal contexts. The noun meaning “a person or thing regarded as weaker” survives chiefly in literary or dated usage.
Less strong, forceful, powerful, effective, convincing, or developed than something else.
"The proposed design would place greater stress on a weaker part of the structure."
This is the ordinary and dominant use of weaker.
In a weaker manner, with less strength, force, intensity, or effect.
"The defending side played weaker in the second half."
This use is understood, though “more weakly” can be preferable in formal prose.
A person or thing regarded as weaker, especially when contrasted with someone or something more powerful.
"The author presents the defeated nation as the weaker of the two rival powers."
The noun is uncommon and chiefly literary or dated.
The regular plural is rare and occurs chiefly in dated or literary noun uses.
"The novel contrasts the powerful with the weakers and the voiceless."
Weaker is weak with a comparative attached—and that small ending can turn a modest difference into a decisive one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does weaker come from?
Weaker is formed from weak by adding the native English comparative suffix -er. Weak descends from Middle English weak, which continued Old English wac, an adjective meaning “soft, weak, or insignificant.” Cognates in related Germanic languages include German schwach, Dutch zwak, and Icelandic veikur, although the deeper pre-Germanic ancestry of the word is not certain.
Related word forms
How weaker is actually used
As an adjective, weaker is the standard comparative of weak. As an adverb, it is understood in contexts such as “play weaker,” although “more weakly” may sound more formal in some contexts. The noun use is uncommon and sounds literary or dated.
Easily confused with weaker
Weak is the base adjective, while weaker is its comparative form and therefore compares two or more things or states.