decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkre-pət 

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

An avalanche of lawsuits in recent years claimed the prison’s leaders cultivated a culture of abuse and retaliation while providing decrepit health care. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

More relegating our seniors to the category of weak, stooped and decrepit; people to be laughed at. —Kelly Papa, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025

But not rocking the boat might mean saddling us with a costly, decrepit, out-of-date payment system for many more years to come. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 5 Mar. 2025

In the film, the decrepit vampire Orlok is obsessed with Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), the wife of Thomas Hutter (Hoult). —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin decrepitus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkrep-ət 

: broken down with age : worn-out