soft spot

8 synonyms for soft spot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A particular fondness or affection for someone or something, often one that overrides better judgement.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

weakness liking vulnerability

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fondness partiality fontanelle weak point Achilles heel

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A particular fondness or affection for someone or something, often one that overrides better judgement.

“She has a soft spot for stray cats.”

fondness weakness liking partiality

2. noun

The gap between the skull bones on top of a baby's head, covered only by skin and membrane, which closes during the first two years.

“Support the head and avoid pressing on the soft spot.”

fontanelle

3. noun

A point at which something is vulnerable to attack or failure.

“The audit found a soft spot in the payment system's authentication.”

weak point vulnerability Achilles heel

How to use soft spot

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

have a soft spot for a real soft spot always had a soft spot

Informal in the affection sense and almost always in the frame have a soft spot for.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a soft spot and a weak spot?

A soft spot is usually affectionate: liking something more than you should. A weak spot is purely a vulnerability. Only soft spot takes for plus a person you are fond of.

When does a baby's soft spot close?

The small one at the back usually closes within a couple of months and the large one on top between about twelve and eighteen months, sometimes up to two years. Ask a health visitor or doctor if you are concerned about your own child.

People also searched

weakness liking vulnerability fondness partiality fontanelle

Nearby words

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