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

Relevance

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

But ironically, this crowd-pleaser’s chief weakness is its approach to the dancing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Another source of industrial’s underperformance is recent weakness in defense stocks, a core group influencing the sector’s strength, according to DataTrek.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakness

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 Duke of Sussex’s speech was marred by a fault with the teleprompter, forcing him to complete it in two halves.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Recently, Qnetic completed its first 100 continuous charge-discharge cycles with zero faults or degradation, a key indicator of its reliability.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of fault

Noun

But where Hwan’s Christianity is a willful, grotesque misreading of the Bible, Latif actively wrestles with his moral shortcomings.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Head coach Jeff Hafley, who also doubles as the defensive playcaller, intends on pulling out all the stops to address the defense’s pass-rushing shortcoming.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of shortcoming

Browse Nearby Words

frailties

frailty

frame

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Frailty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frailty. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frailty

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

argot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes