1
a
: not firm or stiff
also
: lacking normal or youthful firmness
flaccid muscles
b
of a plant part
: deficient in turgor
2
: lacking vigor or force
flaccid leadership
Examples of flaccid in a Sentence
Virgil Thomson, in his review of the evening, called the libretto "flaccid and spineless," but that is unfair. It is a witty piece of writing.
—
J. D. McClatchy, New Republic, 29 Nov. 1993
Her hands are long and slim, delicate, as Dorothy's were; her handshake is flaccid, her smile is sweet but unconvincing.
—Richard Bausch, Esquire, August 1990
Half must have been, of course, men and women over fifty and their bodies reflected the pull of their character … many a man had a flaccid paunch …
—Norman Mailer, Harper's, November 1968
the flaccid stalks of celery that had been around for far too long
J. D. McClatchy, New Republic, 29 Nov. 1993
Her hands are long and slim, delicate, as Dorothy's were; her handshake is flaccid, her smile is sweet but unconvincing.
—Richard Bausch, Esquire, August 1990
Half must have been, of course, men and women over fifty and their bodies reflected the pull of their character … many a man had a flaccid paunch …
—Norman Mailer, Harper's, November 1968
the flaccid stalks of celery that had been around for far too long
Recent Examples on the Web
Skepticism about originals dates back to the start of the studio system, but their standing has been further weakened by the recent flaccid responses to The Amateur, a spy thriller; Drop, a horror movie; and The Alto Knights, a period gangster movie.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
My last chicken sandwich was flanked with a huge serving of flaccid cardboard-tasting fries served cold.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
In the last scene of the film, the Father stands on a rock in the middle of a waterfall, naked, flaccid, alone, and screaming, shattered with desire.
—P.e. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
No more flaccid bites–Chomps snap on the tooth.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaccid
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Peter Bart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
My last chicken sandwich was flanked with a huge serving of flaccid cardboard-tasting fries served cold.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
In the last scene of the film, the Father stands on a rock in the middle of a waterfall, naked, flaccid, alone, and screaming, shattered with desire.
—P.e. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
No more flaccid bites–Chomps snap on the tooth.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaccid
Cite this Entry
“Flaccid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaccid. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
: not firm or stiff
also
: lacking normal or youthful firmness
flaccid muscles
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