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 Mujahid and Barbosa say the 19-year-old had appeared frail, but also rarely appeared at all. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Research suggests that starting a program of high-intensity resistance exercise can help people grow less frail, if continued over at least a few months. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 Photos of the frail looking singer have since done viral on social media. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026 What will happen when residents who are relatively young, active, and healthy become more frail and need higher levels of care? — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail

Adjective

Indonesia’s blackouts in mid-2026, in part triggered by the events in the Middle East, demonstrated how fragile the region’s energy security is.

— Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
And ultimately, asked to prove themselves all over again to keep their often-fragile NFL dreams alive.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, the timing of the September meeting is politically sensitive, arriving just ahead of the US midterms.

— , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

The Falcons’ season begins this weekend; one that most are considering an evaluation year with an outside chance at playoff contention in a weak division.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Palace are probably weaker at centre-back overall, though, and two loans are not ideal.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Most often, those who do seek medical attention are people who are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses, such as children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.

— Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Most people recover within several days, but infections can become serious for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

Then handle the smaller responsibilities competing for your attention.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The gold complemented her ethereal lilac chiffon McQueen dress, featuring a sweetheart strapless neckline and flowing layers of delicate fabric.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
The answers range from good communication and baseball IQ to the ability to navigate the delicate balance of personalities in the clubhouse.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of delicate

Adjective

Kenneth Branagh originated the somewhat aloof professor, who steps into the role after Professor Quirrell was revealed to be hosting the feeble Lord Voldemort on the back of his bald head.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of feeble

Adjective

The infected children reported a range of skin and soft tissue symptoms, including spots, pustules, blisters, and abscesses.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
That belief — that culture is simultaneously an economic force, a source of soft power and something that requires active protection — became the thesis for the gathering, the first of this scale in a century.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frail

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes