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

Whether the result of drugs, alcohol or general hysteria, these terrifying men would enter trance-like states and charge into battle, ignoring severe injuries and collapsing into a feeble heap immediately after the fight concluded. —Drew Gerber, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Two hotels in the East Bay have tumbled into bankruptcy ahead of scheduled foreclosures, in a fresh sign that post-coronavirus maladies still afflict the feeble lodging markets in the Bay Area. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2025

But this time, Trump is bucking the prime minister, and Netanyahu and his supporters have had only feeble excuses as to why their efforts are failing. —Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2025

But much like the hug stepped on the larger point of supplementing the military base, images of Whitmer hiding behind the folders added to a narrative that Democrats are feeble in the face of Trump's power and influence. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 May 2025

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