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 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 Harper and Ullman said the younger women sometimes looked after elderly, infirm or penniless prisoners. Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 The investigation reveals a dismal picture of a company with a sales culture that depends on squeezing infirm and elderly patients and the government for every penny. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for infirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirm
Adjective
  • And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.
    Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The airline cited weak travel demand and financial challenges.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the nineteenth century, for instance, libraries offered some women the freedom to explore, learn, and work, challenging social norms that styled (some) women as too frail to earn a living outside the home.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Severe infections are particularly dangerous for young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But Morgan Stanley suggested the feeble job gains of the past three months would spur the Fed to act in September despite stable unemployment.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
  • But that looks feeble next to Bitcoin, which made new record highs yesterday, cresting over $122,000 per coin.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The work requirements don’t apply to beneficiaries who are pregnant, disabled, a child, a senior, a parent of a child younger than 14, or those who are caretakers for others.
    Jeremy Nighohossian, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Bowen Tower Apartments, located at 6140 Raytown Road, is a 92-unit building that houses mostly elderly and disabled people.
    PJ Green August 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirm. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

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