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 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 All of them lied, along with the mainstream media, as to how infirm Biden has been for years and would not admit that Kamala Harris’ policies were identical to Biden’s. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 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 Royals made a lot of weak contact, which resulted in a mix of groundouts.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Last week, a weaker-than-expected jobs report added to expectations of an imminent rate cut by the central bank.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After Arsenal took advantage of a frail Bayindir to score from yet another set piece, Raya stood strong to repel the hosts.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The Valkyries have sold out each of their 18 home games this season, 18,064 packing out Chase Center regardless of how mighty or feeble the opposition is.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Jeanette Dalton, who taught emotionally-disabled students at PCES for 35 years, echoed Nusbaum’s sentiment.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
  • These payments apply to low-income and disabled Americans.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirm. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

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