kryptonite means the one weakness of something or someone that is otherwise invulnerable. It carries an Arena rating of 1546, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, kryptonite ranks #48 of 17,116 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #1,274 of 17,093 for Most Storied Words, #1,775 of 17,115 for Most Vivid Words, #2,174 of 17,125 for Most Incisive Words.
kryptonite is pronounced /ˈkɹɪptənaɪt/.
Why “kryptonite” is a great word
A specific weakness or vulnerability that renders an otherwise powerful person or thing susceptible to harm or defeat. From the fictional planet Krypton, the home of Superman, named after the chemical element krypton (from Greek krypton, neuter of kryptos "hidden") + the suffix -ite (denoting minerals or rocks), coined in 1943 by writer George Lowther. Unlike "Achilles' heel," which implies an inherent, proverbial flaw, or a "foible," which suggests a minor, endearing quirk, kryptonite is a modern, specific agent—an external condition that actively exploits and neutralizes strength. It is the exact frequency of sound that shatters unbreakable glass, the single unremarkable spice that unravels a master chef's perfect dish, or the quiet memory of a forgotten kindness that undoes a tyrant's resolve—the hidden element that makes a god mortal, and every power a pact with its own undoing.
Etymology
From a fictional radioactive element, kryptonite, that has a detrimental effect on the otherwise invulnerable character Superman. Formed from Superman's home planet Krypton + -ite, which was named after the chemical element krypton.
noun
- The one weakness of something or someone that is otherwise invulnerable.e.g.“The terrific seven-grain bread here is the kryptonite of restaurant reviewers: two mini-loaves and you are incapacitated.”
- Crack cocaine.
verb
- To expose to, or attack with, kryptonite.e.g.“And even those two were pretty puny, like Superman after he had been kryptonited.”
- To destroy, wreck, or ruin; to affect adversely, as Superman is affected by kryptonite.
Words closest in meaning
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