feeble

adjective

fee·ble | \ ˈfē-bəl

feebler\ˈfē-b(ə-)lər

\; feeblest\ˈfē-b(ə-)ləst

Definition of feeble

1a : markedly lacking in strength a feeble old man

b : indicating weakness taking only feeble steps

2a : 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

Other Words from feeble Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about feeble

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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 crippling 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

Never mind that his once thriving kingdom has shrunk to the size of a postage stamp, inhabited by 1,000 citizens too feeble or damaged to leave. — Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Love and death in Spring Green: 'The Recruiting Officer,' 'Exit the King'," 3 July 2018 Parliament’s resistance to Mrs May’s extreme plan has been timid and the Labour opposition feeble. — The Economist, "Britain is heading for a soft Brexit," 16 June 2018 Social Darwinism, by itself, is a feeble philosophy. — Laurie Penny, Longreads, "Peterson’s Complaint," 12 July 2018 In Geneva, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, issued a scathing denunciation of the feeble response to past attacks by the international community in general. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "After Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria, Trump Weighs Retaliation," 9 Apr. 2018 The rest of the Mets have not been so resilient, their offense generally feeble without Cespedes. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, "What the Mets Need Now: Some Yankees-Style Boldness," 8 June 2018 Many pointed to Chase Field’s new humidor as the reason why the Diamondbacks posted such feeble offensive statistics in April and May. — Richard Morin, azcentral, "Red-hot Paul Goldschmidt has led Diamondbacks offense to power surge in June," 16 June 2018 First, there was his incapacitated hospital stay, which led to his feeble return to Waterford manor. — refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale," 14 June 2018 Of course, this could also be a feeble attempt on my part to play Westworld’s game of catering to its subreddit. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "“Kiksuya” is Westworld season 2’s best episode so far," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feeble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.