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 Barring a sudden increase in foreign aid — say, if Russia decides to ramp up its oil shipments to Cuba in response to escalating tensions with the United States over Ukraine — Cuba’s crisis could bring about unprecedented challenges to its decrepit regime. Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 All these developments are vying for Ohio's highly-competitive historic tax credits, which are vital for bringing decrepit buildings back to life. Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 May 2025 Patel didn’t say much about the plans to move the FBI headquarters, something prior FBI directors and Congress acknowledged needed to be done because of the decrepit condition of the building. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 16 May 2025 Seaport Entertainment, which owns a 30 percent stake in Jean-Georges Restaurants, recently completed a breathtaking renovation of the decrepit Tin Building at South Street Seaport, creating a food hall of various Jean-Georges restaurants and food markets. Yuvraj Khanna, New York Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for decrepit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrepit
Adjective
  • Dayna is unemployed and newly single, and an out-of-the-blue opportunity to fix up a dilapidated mansion into an influencer house seems like her ticket to a new life.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Nearly two weeks after San Jose began dismantling its largest homeless encampment, the city is set to open its first-ever safe sleeping site, which will provide tents for dozens of the approximately 370 residents who have lived in dilapidated RVs and squalor at Columbus Park.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But options for changing that are weak.
    Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Instead, molecules simply bounce around and lose energy, resulting in relatively weak conduction.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decrepit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrepit. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decrepit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!