Synonyms of frailty

frailty

noun

ˈfrāl-tē 

1

as in weakness

a defect in character

selfishness is a common human frailty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• sin
• fault
• shortcoming
• failing
• deficiency
• foible
• sinfulness
• vice
• demerit
• feet of clay
• dereliction
• imperfection
• flaw
• evil
• stain
• want
• blot
• blemish
• minus
• corruption
• immorality
• soft spot
• wickedness
• depravity
• spot
• nit
• Achilles' heel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• merit
• perfection
• excellence
• integrity
• goodness
• morality
• righteousness
• rectitude
• probity

2

as in exhaustion

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor

frailty doesn't affect all elderly people, for many are indeed healthy and strong

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• exhaustion
• feebleness
• fatigue
• fragility
• infirmity
• debility
• impairment
• faintness
• debilitation
• enervation
• lowness
• injury
• frailness
• languor
• enfeeblement
• asthenia
• decay
• disablement
• listlessness
• tenderness
• languidness
• decrepitude
• wimpiness
• breakdown
• delicacy
• damage
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• impotence
• collapse
• weariness
• prostration
• softness
• lassitude
• invalidism
• harm
• incapacitation
• hurt
• defenselessness
• impuissance
• effeteness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• vigor
• robustness
• hardiness
• vitality
• hardihood
• energy
• fitness
• virility
• muscularity
• toughness
• hardness
• health
• huskiness
• sturdiness
• ruggedness
• stoutness
• soundness
• lustiness
• wellness
• healthiness
• heftiness
• brawniness

3

as in softness

the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character

the frailty shown by the apostle Peter when he denied Jesus three times

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• softness
• frailness
• wimpiness
• spinelessness
• corruptness
• wimpishness
• corruption
• wishy-washiness
• flaw
• failing
• foible
• collapse
• evil
• peccadillo
• wickedness
• immorality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• toughness
• fortitude
• firmness
• nerve
• backbone
• mettle
• hardihood
• discipline
• resoluteness
• goodness
• chutzpah
• integrity
• morality
• moxie
• righteousness
• rectitude
• rightness
• uprightness
• self-discipline
• virtuousness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun frailty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frailty are failing, fault, foible, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would failing be a good substitute for frailty?

The words failing and frailty can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

In what contexts can fault take the place of frailty?

The words fault and frailty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When can foible be used instead of frailty?

While the synonyms foible and frailty are close in meaning, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When is it sensible to use vice instead of frailty?

The synonyms vice and frailty are sometimes interchangeable, but vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frailty

Her gait is so constrained by her frailty that her feet hardly leave the ground. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

This month’s announcement from CMS caught states off guard with a new definition of medical frailty. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

The Three Lions showed some defensive frailty in the first half against Croatia last time out, but the attack was downright terrifying in England’s 4-2 win. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 23 June 2026

The cumulative effects of chronic stress, exposure to the elements, untreated medical conditions, poor nutrition and limited access to healthcare can lead to the early onset of geriatric conditions such as cognitive impairment, mobility limitations and frailty. — Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 15 June 2026