Fear of appearing weak on crime overcame political will.

He had managed to avoid a bloodbath without appearing weak.

The empire needs the unrest to end, but not at the cost of appearing weak.

It's the one way a man has of showing anger without harming someone or appearing weak.

He shook his head, angry at appearing weak before her.

But he also wanted to avoid appearing weak and perhaps to invite future tests of his resolve in such situations.

The trusting souls in the play appear weak, stupid and self-serving.

And since no one would back down for fear of appearing weak.

Johnson believed that America could not afford to lose and risk appearing weak in the eyes of the world.

She also shook with frustration at appearing so weak in front of the captain.