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

Even in defeat, Fulham succeeded in exposing frailties in Chelsea’s defensive structure at Craven Cottage. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Gemma’s increasing frailty and the newfound demands of being a spiritist courier now tasked with the most important job of all provide star Eve a fine enough base to play. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

People who followed the advice over three months improved their grip strength, increased their bone mass, and were more active than controls, suggesting that frailty can be improved with lifestyle interventions. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Causes linked to possible frailty are bucking the trend, though, with death rates from malnutrition up more than 50% from 2019. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026