1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
an 18th-century quack who specialized in those mysterious infirmities that are known only to the idle rich
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
a period of infirmity left the athlete completely out of shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of infirmity
Frazier, despite his own infirmities, took pride in the idea that his blows in Manila had contributed to Ali’s Parkinson’s—or even caused it—going so far as to gloat about the possibility on the outgoing voicemail message for his cellphone.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The young men naturally start out strongly, but exhaustion, physical infirmities and psychological stress eventually take their toll on them one by one.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The governor skillfully countered attacks from Republicans and conservative media regarding Biden’s mental infirmity and physical limitations.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Some blame reporters defending Biden’s obvious infirmity rather than reporting the hard facts.
—Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for infirmity
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The young men naturally start out strongly, but exhaustion, physical infirmities and psychological stress eventually take their toll on them one by one.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The governor skillfully countered attacks from Republicans and conservative media regarding Biden’s mental infirmity and physical limitations.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Some blame reporters defending Biden’s obvious infirmity rather than reporting the hard facts.
—Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for infirmity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirmity
Noun
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After whooping cough vaccinations declined in Dallas County over the last year, the preventable disease spiked to the highest numbers of infections officials have seen in over a decade, Huang said.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Harm reduction can encompass a range of practices, including handing out free needles to slow the spread of disease, and many local leaders credit some of those efforts with recent drops in fatal overdoses.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But some analysts say Iran's unprecedented weakness at home could diminish the flexibility of its country's leadership to make the kinds of compromises necessary for a deal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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But ask anyone who knows him about Kuechly’s weaknesses, and the first thing that might come up is his deflection of praise.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Weekly activity levels are based on the rate of doctor’s visits for flu-like illness.—
Koko Nakajima,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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The Prebys Foundation gave a $125,000 grant to San Diego nonprofit Resounding Joy to provide music therapy to homebound older adults fighting critical illnesses who are receiving meals from local nonprofit Mama’s Kitchen.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Combining heavy amounts of alcohol on top of exhaustion and a lack of food, Sullivan blacked out.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
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In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Peterson has missed 11 of KU’s 24 games because of hamstring tightness, cramping, a quad ailment and illness issues.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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The building had many ailments, and the landlord seemed intent on doing as little as possible about them.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When hair endures damage from styling treatments, color, or heat, the hair’s keratin composition can be compromised, leading to feebleness and a greater risk of breakage.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For all its ills, social media can also be an entry point for anyone interested in Chicago history and the city’s varied eccentricities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In Will There Ever Be Another You, the main character struggles with an illness similar to long COVID, descending into a state of debility and psychosis as readers experience the chaos of her unraveling life.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 Sep. 2025
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Infirmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmity. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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