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 Great powers don’t have feeble currencies. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 While the bats themselves are feeble foes, the rabies virus is a brutal beast. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025 But the animal would also be pretty feeble at this stage — if this happened in a very short period of time, the muscle growth wouldn't be able to keep up with the expansion of the exoskeleton. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025 But that looks feeble next to Bitcoin, which made new record highs yesterday, cresting over $122,000 per coin. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeble
Adjective
  • The Royals made a lot of weak contact, which resulted in a mix of groundouts.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Last week, a weaker-than-expected jobs report added to expectations of an imminent rate cut by the central bank.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • After Arsenal took advantage of a frail Bayindir to score from yet another set piece, Raya stood strong to repel the hosts.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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