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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of infirmity
Humor savors an infirmity — a foible, a failing, a venality, a flaw.
—
Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
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 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
Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
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 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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Dane was diagnosed last April with ALS, a disease that attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord, stealing a person's ability to walk, breathe and often speak.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2026
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There is enormous pressure on these companies to optimize AI to make money in the short term by convincing people to use it, rather than advance science or cure disease in the long term, and to create systems that entirely replace workers rather than merely help them.—
J. Xavier Prochaska,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That's a break from the typical relationship that has tied elevated energy costs to market weakness since the Iran war broke out.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
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In another post, Newsom said dyslexia isn't a weakness, but a strength.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The ability to self-schedule helps Young manage her autism and a chronic illness called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which can cause a rapid heart rate or dizziness when standing up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Recent water samples showed bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, which may increase the risk of illness, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told Fox News Digital.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The exhaustion, compounded by the search for the right balance, showed most clearly at the Bernabeu.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
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Investigators also allege the girl was forced to sleep in an uninsulated garage without bedding during the winter months, denied adequate nutrition and made to perform strenuous exercise until exhaustion under threats of assault.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Michael King missed most of last year due to shoulder and knee ailments.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
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For decades researchers have been investigating whether other types of medications can treat the ailment.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Hollywood has always been an easy political punching bag–a convenient scapegoat for a host of intractable ills.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His trajectory is one of softening, from the swaggering knight of the opening to the irrepressible lover of the second act to his final physical debility.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Infirmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmity. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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