Weakly

Weakly, an adverb, describes something done or occurring in a feeble, faint, or deficient manner, lacking strength, power, or effectiveness. It often implies a lack of force, conviction, or intensity. This can refer to physical weakness, but also to a weakness in argument, performance, or the way something is carried out. The term often implies a sense of inadequacy or tentativeness. Consider its usage concerning emotions, actions, or even the physical manifestations of illness. It's important to distinguish 'weakly' from simply 'weak'; the former modifies an action or state, while the latter describes a quality.

Weakly meaning with examples

• After battling the flu for a week, Sarah spoke weakly, her voice barely audible. She lacked the energy to maintain a normal tone, communicating her exhaustion with every whispered word. Even simple sentences required considerable effort. She moved about weakly, as if any exertion might cause her collapse. This subtle nuance in speech perfectly conveyed her fragile health.
• The old bridge, weakened by years of weathering, weakly supported the passing truck. The wood creaked and groaned as the vehicle crossed, each noise signaling the structural fragility. It seemed as if the bridge could fail at any moment, showcasing the gravity of the situation. Any further stress, such as more weight or even wind, could send it cascading into the river below.
• His arguments were presented weakly, lacking any real evidence or logical progression. He stumbled over his words and his points were poorly articulated, exposing a lack of preparation and research. The lack of persuasive power in the presentation rendered his case ultimately unconvincing. The audience perceived this inherent fragility in his points, which meant he failed to sway their views.
• The defense weakly attempted to discredit the prosecution's evidence, their attempts proving quite unsuccessful. They presented few counterpoints, and their efforts failed to challenge the damning evidence. Their arguments were riddled with inconsistencies and failed to make a case, which resulted in a guilty verdict. The weakness of their rebuttal further strengthened the prosecution's case.
• The artist weakly portrayed the vibrant scene, failing to capture its true brilliance. The colors were muted, the details were softened, and the painting didn't do justice to the grandeur of the vista. It felt empty and lifeless, failing to convey the vivid intensity of the scene. The artist should try more to capture the heart of the image, for this was a true and deep weakness of his depiction.