decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkre-pət How to pronounce decrepit (audio)
1
: wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of old age
a decrepit old man
2
a
: impaired by use or wear : worn-out
a decrepit school bus
b
: fallen into ruin or disrepair
a decrepit industry
3
: dilapidated, run-down
an old, decrepit hotel
decrepitly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for decrepit

weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit mean not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort.

weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or disabling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

Examples of decrepit in a Sentence

My decrepit car barely starts.
Recent Examples on the Web The communist-run country’s aging and decrepit infrastructure has frequent outages because of difficulties with maintenance and lack of fuel. Orlando Matos, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 But the castle is away from the main fray, decrepit and really haunted. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 14 June 2024 To wit: Saturday’s fundraiser had as its objective to modify an underground reservoir and repair decrepit plumbing so that the gravitational system designed by Le Nôtre will be able to operate the garden’s 22 fountains on a daily basis. Miles Socha, WWD, 6 Oct. 2024 Now, a white Republican U.S. senator from Montana is reviving the debate by blocking a bill funding the revitalization of the decrepit RFK Stadium for the Commanders, who have been playing miles away in Maryland. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for decrepit 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decrepit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin decrepitus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decrepit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near decrepit

Cite this Entry

“Decrepit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrepit. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

decrepit

adjective
de·​crep·​it di-ˈkrep-ət How to pronounce decrepit (audio)
: broken down with age : worn-out

More from Merriam-Webster on decrepit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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