FRAILTY Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

frailty

noun

ˈfrāl-tē

Definition of frailty

as in weakness

a defect in character selfishness is a common human frailty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 frailty Most of the 1-hour, 10-minute conversation was an amiable chat about faith, Vance’s own spiritual journey, his Easter meeting with Pope Francis the day before the pontiff’s death last year, and human frailty and fallibility. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 The thing that Gena is so brilliant at is exploiting the human voice, and the frailties of the voice and the strengths and the vulnerabilities. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 Even in defeat, Fulham succeeded in exposing frailties in Chelsea’s defensive structure at Craven Cottage. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frailty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frailty

Noun

Similarly, behavioral assessments also shed light on potential weaknesses, such as poor communication skills or a tendency to avoid conflict, which can be addressed proactively.

— Karla Vallecillo, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
This ambitious tripartite structure comes with strengths and weaknesses.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

So lets unpack all the sins and consequences, starting with those tied to the case John just closed.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
Some Jews may pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony, tossing pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.

— Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

As Kasubhai observed, despite its legal feebleness, Kennedy’s declaration and its explicit threat has had a concrete impact on the provision of gender-affirming services to American youths.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Signs of disease include warts on legs, crusty or swollen eyes, feebleness, a ruffled appearance, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and diarrhea.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

Definition of feebleness

Noun

The Red Wings have had many faults the last few seasons — struggles with five-on-five scoring, a lack of physicality and an inconsistent penalty kill all near the top — but their struggles to win crucial late-season games rise above all of that.

— Max Bultman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
In my opinion, the whole fault of the event was the lack of proper security.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

But unlike actual fatigues, this is cut to drape just right in all the right places and is clean of any distressing and patches.

— Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Beyond common cold symptoms like a cough, sore throat and runny nose, people sick with COVID-19 often have body aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and/or smell.

— Ann Sheehan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

Based on those numbers, critics generally approved of the season's direction more than the audience did, yet prominent progressive reviewers still found new ideological shortcomings to condemn.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Such a file contains objective personnel data as well as observable assessments of a cadre’s political shortcomings.

— ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

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frailties

frailty

frame

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“Frailty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frailty. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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