feeble

adjective

fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl 

feebler ˈfē-b(ə-)lər  ; feeblest ˈfē-b(ə-)ləst 

1

a

: markedly lacking in strength

a feeble old man

b

: indicating weakness

taking only feeble steps

2

a

: deficient in qualities or resources that indicate vigor, authority, force, or efficiency

a feeble argument

cities are growing uncreative and feeble

—Jane Jacobs

b

: inadequate, inferior

a feeble excuse

feebleness

ˈfē-bəl-nəs 

noun

feebly

ˈfē-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• asthenic
• debilitated
• delicate
• down-and-out
• effete
• enervated
• enfeebled
• faint
• frail
• infirm
• languid
• low
• prostrate
• prostrated
• sapped
• slight
• soft
• softened
• tender
• unsubstantial
• wasted
• weak
• weakened
• wimpish
• wimpy

Choose the Right Synonym for feeble

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 feeble in a Sentence

She's still feeble from her long illness.

We heard a feeble cry for help.

Business is suffering because of the feeble economy.

He made a feeble attempt to explain his behavior.

He offered a feeble excuse for his behavior.

“Dislike” is too feeble a word for how she feels about him.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sum of 10 shillings bought you a year’s subscription—that’s about 2 pence for every weekly four-page issue—and subscribers grew from a feeble 90 to more than 1,500 in 1748. —Adam Smyth, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024

While these researchers await the faint signals of feeble particles, other dark matter ideas remain in play. —Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feble, from Anglo-French, from Latin flebilis lamentable, wretched, from flēre to weep — more at bleat

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing feeble

• feeble-minded
• feeble-mindedly
• feeble-mindedness

Kids Definition

feeble

adjective

fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl 

feebler -b(ə-)lər  ; feeblest -b(ə-)ləst 

1

: lacking in strength or endurance

2

: not forceful or loud

a feeble cry

a feeble attempt

feebleness

-bəl-nəs 

noun

feebly

-blē 

adverb