Definition of feeblenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective feeble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feeble are decrepit, fragile, frail, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might decrepit be a better fit than feeble?

While the synonyms decrepit and feeble are close in meaning, decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When would fragile be a good substitute for feeble?

The words fragile and feeble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is it sensible to use frail instead of feeble?

While in some cases nearly identical to feeble, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When can infirm be used instead of feeble?

Although the words infirm and feeble 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 feeble?

The synonyms weak and feeble are sometimes interchangeable, 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 feeble For Bravo, race has always been that lingering chink in its armor — and the latest burgeoning Summer House drama threatens to continue to chip away at the network’s feeble defense against claims of racial insensitivity. Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 After that provocative setup, Dream Scenario unfortunately devolved into a feeble, simplistic cancel-culture satire. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026 Their swing-and-miss percentage was hilariously bad last season, especially for a team with feeble power. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026 Kempe knocked down Nicolas Hague’s feeble clearing attempt, which was picked off by Artemi Panarin. Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feeble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeble
Adjective
  • As the story goes, attendance was weak, the weather was bad, and the tournament experience was just lacking.
    James Burky, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
  • As many as 40 states combine one-party control with institutional barriers weak enough to fall to political pressure.
    Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in young children, elderly people or people with weakened immune systems.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
  • Older children and adults with weakened immune systems also are vulnerable.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • These moments are delightfully painful moments that remind just how frail this current moment in our relationship to technology continues to be.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Modifiers are long-standing medical coding tools that identify patients that are sicker, frailer, or undergoing unusually complex procedures.
    Dr. John Guzzi, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Feeble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeble. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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