decrepit

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective decrepit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of decrepit are feeble, fragile, frail, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When can feeble be used instead of decrepit?

The meanings of feeble and decrepit largely overlap; however, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When would fragile be a good substitute for decrepit?

In some situations, the words fragile and decrepit are roughly equivalent. However, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When might frail be a better fit than decrepit?

While the synonyms frail and decrepit are close in meaning, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When could infirm be used to replace decrepit?

Although the words infirm and decrepit have much in common, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

In what contexts can weak take the place of decrepit?

The words weak and decrepit can be used in similar contexts, but weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decrepit The project as conceived would make a milestone for Orlando and the Parramore neighborhood, trading the disgrace of decrepit public housing for the lure of brand-new, below-market apartments primarily serving the region’s struggling families. Tyler Williams, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025 Building more warships ​to replace its decrepit Soviet-era fleet has been a key part of ​his program. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 22 May 2025 One employee described decrepit office spaces overflowing with people after the Trump administration ended remote work and ordered all federal workers back to the office. Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025 In the new version of Nosferatu, Skarsgård stars as Count Orlok, a decrepit vampire who is obsessed with Ellen Hutter (Depp) and has been haunting the woman in his dreams. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decrepit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrepit
Adjective
  • Now, as soon as next year, the historic campus will transform into housing with 213 apartments as the city's Department of Metropolitan Development and private developers redevelop dilapidated buildings downtown into residential and commercial spaces.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
  • But Spencer said replacing old, dilapidated buildings with newer ones could also put the district in a better position to compete with charter schools.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Witness the rally in the railroads last week that crushed shorts banking on weaker transport earnings.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 July 2025
  • This weak cash generation capability raises questions about the company’s ability to fund growth investments and return capital to shareholders.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decrepit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrepit. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decrepit

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