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

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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 Under the contract that expired June 30, UCLA had been providing specialty care to 9,000 medically frail patients from Health Care LA, an association of nonprofit clinics that serve patients covered by Medi-Cal, the state program for the poor. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Though Steinem had recently become more frail physically, her wit and humor remained totally intact. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Up there, the wind is your neighbor, whistling through the walls and frail window panes. — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Mujahid and Barbosa say the 19-year-old had appeared frail, but also rarely appeared at all. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail

Adjective

The plant clips feature high-quality waterproof plastic that’s durable but gentle on fragile stems.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2026
As China’s Xi Jinping heads to Washington this week for high-stakes talks, the war in the Mideast and fragile shipping routes keep markets on edge, with analysts warning oil could still soar higher.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

The ability for any app or command to control an endpoint where sensitive user speech is processed is an entirely different matter.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Most pressure-sensitive adhesives are based on polymers, long chains of repeating molecular units that become entangled with one another.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

But the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has devolved significantly since its glory days atop the comedy calendar, proving to be a weaker platform for political satire than the Onion’s takeover of Infowars.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Production disruptions and weak output in Chile, the world’s biggest producer, sent prices to record highs, with the US accumulating huge stockpiles and smelters in China forced to turn to scraps to meet that country’s industrial needs.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Aid groups warn more than three-quarters of Gaza’s housing stock is damaged, thousands of buildings are at risk of collapse, and residents grow especially vulnerable when winter rains seep into weakened structures.

— Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
When people use contaminated soap, bacteria can enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin and lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

— Jenna Anderson, HEALTH, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

Book the white, cream, and silver Diaghilev suite, which has double doors that open onto a small balcony with the bay of Positano at your feet.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Instead, excess testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair follicles to become smaller and then the hair strands to become thinner.

— Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

No detail is unaccounted for and no expense is spared, which is The Ritz-Carlton way — evident in touches like the robe’s delicate trim on the pockets and cuffs, fleece lining, embroidery at the chest, and belt made out of the same materials.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Ilinčić’s show borrowed the delicate ropes of octogenarian textile artist Françoise Grossen weaving them into dresses, skirts, bags and belts.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of delicate

Adjective

Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth.

— Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
There has to be something more than this, looking feeble against a rookie lefty with average stuff followed by the worst bullpen in baseball.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of feeble

Adjective

Paris Baguette serves sweet and savory pastries, wraps, breakfast sandwiches and cakes, including chocolate hazelnut with Nutella, a chocolate mousse, salted caramel layer cake, a blueberry chiffon cake and a strawberry soft cream cake.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
For those not quite ready to descend immediately into oxbloods, blacks, and vampy winter tones, taupe offers a softer way in.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of soft

Browse Nearby Words

fragrant

frail

frailly

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“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frail

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