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

And speaker after speaker used their moment on the convention stage yesterday to uplift Trump, often in biblical terms, while blasting Joe Biden as a feeble president. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024

But that was Himes’ point, one also raised by George Clooney: Democrats are on pins and needles worried that Biden will sink into something resembling his feeble nature at the CNN debate. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 11 July 2024

Now: Biden’s feeble performance at June’s presidential debate has elevated his age to the status of a national uni-topic— a story that, according to various thinkers, the media failed to place before the American people. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

President Joe Biden’s feeble debate performance has Democrats worrying about his reelection prospects to the point where some in the party are for the first time seriously entertaining scenarios for replacing him as the nominee. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 July 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