FRAIL Synonyms: 223 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'frail' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frail are decrepit , feeble , fragile , infirm , and weak . While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure. // a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Q: When would 'decrepit' be a good substitute for 'frail'?

The words decrepit and frail can be used in similar contexts, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age. // the dowager's decrepit retainers

Q: When could 'feeble' be used to replace 'frail'?

While the synonyms feeble and frail are close in meaning, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt. // a feeble attempt to walk

Q: When can 'fragile' be used instead of 'frail'?

In some situations, the words fragile and frail 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

Q: Where would 'infirm' be a reasonable alternative to 'frail'?

While in some cases nearly identical to frail , infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness. // infirm residents requiring constant care

Q: When is 'weak' a more appropriate choice than 'frail'?

The words weak and frail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort. // felt weak after the surgery

frail

adjective

ˈfrāl

Definition of frail

as in fragile

easily broken a frail eggshell

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sensitive

easily injured without careful handling be careful with your grandmother, as she's very frail and a fall would be disastrous

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weak

lacking bodily strength he was frail after a long battle with bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weakened

lacking strength of will or character a frail person, easily swayed by others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a frail hope of success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective frail contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frail are decrepit, feeble, fragile, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When would decrepit be a good substitute for frail?

The words decrepit and frail can be used in similar contexts, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When could feeble be used to replace frail?

While the synonyms feeble and frail are close in meaning, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When can fragile be used instead of frail?

In some situations, the words fragile and frail 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

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to frail?

While in some cases nearly identical to frail, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

When is weak a more appropriate choice than frail?

The words weak and frail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 frail While sporting a bare look is often the best way to help damaged nails, already frail nails can be more susceptible to breaking without a layer of protective polish. — Alexis Berger, InStyle, 25 July 2026 The complaint alleges that over the following nine days, an increasingly frail Willis faced a systematic failure to respond to a visible and worsening crisis. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 Certain people, such as those who are pregnant or medically frail, are exempt. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 20 July 2026 Biden’s stumbles doom his reelection effort Biden’s halting gait, frail appearance and frequent verbal stumbles eventually doomed his 2024 reelection campaign. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail

Adjective

Sri Sarma of Johns Hopkins highlights how biological neural networks offer superior adaptability, efficiency, and resilience, unlike fragile digital systems.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
The miracle behind Cruz’s discovery is that amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders rarely make it into the fossil records because of their fragile skeletons.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

Many forex brokers respond to weak rankings by publishing more market guides, adding country pages and building links.

— David Ispiryan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Slow money growth means weak nominal growth and low inflation, which in turn keeps interest rates and bond yields depressed—and the yen weak.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and can be particularly severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

While the use of AI in the filmmaking process remains a delicate topic in Hollywood, Wall Street has a more straightforwardly Darwinian view.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Sculptural bangles and bold cuffs are replacing delicate jewelry, whether stacked or balanced on both wrists.

— Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of delicate

Adjective

Instead of using a mirror to gather starlight, MOTHRA has many telephoto lenses, like those on a camera, which can capture faintly glowing wisps of gas and other feeble emanations across a wider field of view.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of feeble

Adjective

Quilt sets are oversized, reversible and buttery soft, made from the same smart fabric as the favorite sheets with a 100% inner cotton lining, recently named a Good Housekeeping favorite.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Expect a calm palette of neutrals and soft blues, metallic accents, and plenty of natural light, with views either west toward the mountains and desert or north up the Strip.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft

Browse Nearby Words

fragrant

frail

frailly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frail

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on frail

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes