Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective infirm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of infirm are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

When would decrepit be a good substitute for infirm?

While the synonyms decrepit and infirm are close in meaning, decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of infirm?

Although the words feeble and infirm have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When could fragile be used to replace infirm?

The synonyms fragile and infirm are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is it sensible to use frail instead of infirm?

The words frail and infirm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When can weak be used instead of infirm?

The meanings of weak and infirm largely overlap; however, 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 infirm They’re designed for Americans that are struggling, that are below the poverty line, or that are infirm, that can’t work and afford health care. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025 In place of lockdowns, the statement contended, the nation could simply let infections spread among most of the population while the old and infirm remained in relative isolation. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 With their branches weighted down by snow, his evergreens are infirm but not yet fallen—still here after the storm. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Feb. 2025 For the elderly or infirm, these displays could show electrocardiogram waveforms, collecting the data from wireless electrodes placed elsewhere on the body. IEEE Spectrum, 27 May 2021 See All Example Sentences for infirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirm
Adjective
  • The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Results may not apply directly to frailer elderly adults or people with knee conditions.
    Paul McClure September 11, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Talking to Bill Nighy about his star turn as a frail and at times broken novelist in & Sons is rather hampered by the British actor not having seen director Pablo Trapero’s father-and-son drama on a screen of any size ahead of its world premiere on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These symptoms are more likely to appear in kittens or felines with weakened immune systems.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, like children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Brad Ingelsby’s follow-up to the much-beloved Mare of Easttown switches focus from steely women to feeble men.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The feeble report all but confirms a Fed interest rate cut later this month and raises at least the possibility of a half point – rather than a typical quarter point - reduction, Saunders said.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At one job, Lee’s wrist was crushed in a pressing machine, an injury that left him officially designated as disabled.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
  • That includes rules on supplier diversity and a state law requiring annual reports on hiring of women, minorities, disabled veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirm. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

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