as in weak
lacking bodily strength
the enfeebled old woman now needs a companion to help her with everyday tasks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakened
to diminish the physical strength of
long periods of being confined to a hospital bed will enfeeble anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of enfeebled
Wesley Morris, New York Times, 9 June 2026
But given the island’s small size and enfeebled state, the risks seem much smaller than in Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 20 May 2026
With this enfeebled mind my only recourse is poetry.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Chargers guards and center Bradley Bozeman, a trio whose job was made more difficult by subpar play by both offensive tackles, looked enfeebled against Indianapolis Colt tackle DeForest Buckner.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
During a hospital stay, Roy’s enfeebled mother fixates on the caste and religious affiliations of the doctors treating her—the sort of thing that will be familiar to anyone who has cringed at a diminished elder’s unfiltered prejudices.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Gregory A. Daddis, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2022
Adjective
By 1877, the hope for Black equality met an enfeebled federal government that essentially permitted Jim Crow to run amok.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 9 June 2026
But given the island’s small size and enfeebled state, the risks seem much smaller than in Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 20 May 2026
With this enfeebled mind my only recourse is poetry.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Chargers guards and center Bradley Bozeman, a trio whose job was made more difficult by subpar play by both offensive tackles, looked enfeebled against Indianapolis Colt tackle DeForest Buckner.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
During a hospital stay, Roy’s enfeebled mother fixates on the caste and religious affiliations of the doctors treating her—the sort of thing that will be familiar to anyone who has cringed at a diminished elder’s unfiltered prejudices.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The costs of maintaining an enormous Cold War army and navy enfeebled an already unstable Soviet economy.
—Gregory A. Daddis, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfeebled
Adjective
-
But his father contracted pneumonia in 2011, and after two decades in prison, his body was too weak to fight it.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
That gap is where signal blindness, misalignment, bottlenecks, execution delays and weak learning loops quietly convert external change into our fragilities.—
Christopher Washington,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Since taking office in October 2024, President Prabowo Subianto has weakened the institutional guardrails that once constrained fiscal expansion and protected central‑bank independence.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Osa Odighizuwa won’t ever be confused for Garrett, but the 49ers are convinced their feeble pass rush will improve thanks to Odighizuwa’s interior work.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
The Rock People were a feeble attempt to cash in on the shapeshifting craze, as Stonedar, Rokkon, and Granita (the latter never immortalized as an action figure) could turn themselves into… er, meteors.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
But after discussions with business owners, Lucas softened his stance.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
Models moved through the room as guests held martinis and champagne cocktails, the old banking-room architecture softened by greenery, music and the glow of a crowd that had clearly understood the brief.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The frail, gray humanoid figure greets Daniel and Margaret like old friends as they, and the world, stand in awe.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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The law had said medically frail people include those who have substance use disorders, disabilities or serious medical conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
The department’s special education office ensures states comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees access to education for disabled students.—
Alia Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
For example, states are weighing cuts to in-home care, a change that could mean the difference between a disabled child being able to live with their parents or being forced to move to a residential care facility.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enfeebled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfeebled. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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