infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm How to pronounce infirm (audio)
1
: of poor or deteriorated vitality
especially : feeble from age
2
: weak of mind, will, or character : irresolute, vacillating
3
: not solid or stable : insecure
infirmly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for infirm

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 infirm in a Sentence

The clinic provides free care for elderly and infirm people who lack health insurance. the elderly and infirm have to be especially careful during the winter months
Recent Examples on the Web Truth knew former slaves had no retirement plans and that the aged and infirm were particularly vulnerable to neglect. Cynthia Greenlee, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 The brief itself was – was legally and constitutionally infirm. Liz Cheney, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2024 Good law doesn’t withhold justice from humans who are elderly or infirm, or those who are cognitively disabled. Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023 Some were waving white flags; a few of the most elderly and infirm were pushed on rudimentary carts as Israeli troops positioned on tanks watched on. Loay Ayyoub, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023 Like other effects of climate change, its harms fall most heavily on those who are poor, infirm, very young or elderly. Javier Panzar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 In the background of the story, figures such as the ineffectual Prince George, a sybaritic regent for his infirm father, George III, and Lord Byron, the poet, who voiced his sympathy for the Luddites in Parliament, debate which side to support: owners or workers. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2023 However, she’s grown increasingly infirm in recent months. Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 In the more than five years the foundation has owned the Madison, elevator outages have led residents, many of whom are elderly and infirm, to sleep in the lobby, pay other tenants to carry them to their rooms or remain trapped on the upper floors. Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infirm.' 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 infirmus, from in- + firmus firm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infirm was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near infirm

Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirm. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

infirm

adjective
in·​firm in-ˈfərm How to pronounce infirm (audio)
: weak or frail in body (as from age or disease)

Medical Definition

infirm

adjective
in·​firm in-ˈfərm How to pronounce infirm (audio)
: of poor or deteriorated vitality
especially : feeble from age

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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