Synonyms of decrepit

decrepit

adjective

as in dilapidated

old and in bad condition or poor health

The decrepit building was badly in need of repair.

a decrepit old man

Related Words

• dilapidated
• weak
• feeble
• faint
• frail
• broken-down
• infirm
• wasted
• debilitated
• enfeebled
• weakened
• run-down
• disabled
• down-and-out
• broken
• wimpy
• softened
• wrecked
• languid
• effete
• unsubstantial
• slight
• prostrate
• soft
• damaged
• incapacitated
• asthenic
• low
• invalid
• delicate
• tender
• enervated
• destroyed
• wimpish
• sapped
• paralyzed
• impotent
• powerless
• prostrated
• injured
• hurt
• impaired
• unsound
• harmed

Dissimilar Words

• new
• fresh
• brand-new
• maintained
• kept-up
• sturdy
• robust
• tough
• hardy
• hard
• lusty
• healthy
• sound
• powerful
• cared-for
• mighty
• strong
• rugged
• stalwart
• stout
• hale
• red-blooded

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

Recent Examples of decrepit

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

And Answers For Saturday, May 10 Over the past sixteen years, DiBella has spent millions patching up a decrepit ballpark that has been home base for his club and the Virginia Commonwealth University baseball team. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Most large pieces of space junk — decrepit satellites and spent rocket bodies, for example — break apart during their fiery trips back to Earth, creating artificial meteor showers. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025