FEEBLE Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'feeble' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feeble are decrepit , fragile , frail , infirm , and weak . While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt. // a feeble attempt to walk

Q: When might 'decrepit' be a better fit than 'feeble'?

While the synonyms decrepit and feeble are close in meaning, decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age. // the dowager's decrepit retainers

Q: When would 'fragile' be a good substitute for 'feeble'?

The words fragile and feeble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage. // a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

Q: When is it sensible to use 'frail' instead of 'feeble'?

While in some cases nearly identical to feeble , frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure. // a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Q: When can 'infirm' be used instead of 'feeble'?

Although the words infirm and feeble have much in common, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness. // infirm residents requiring constant care

Q: In what contexts can 'weak' take the place of 'feeble'?

The synonyms weak and feeble are sometimes interchangeable, but weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort. // felt weak after the surgery

feeble

adjective

ˈfē-bəl

Definition of feeble

as in weak

lacking bodily strength feeble members of the congregation are not expected to stand or kneel during services

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How does the adjective feeble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of feeble are decrepit, fragile, frail, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When might decrepit be a better fit than feeble?

While the synonyms decrepit and feeble are close in meaning, decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When would fragile be a good substitute for feeble?

The words fragile and feeble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 feeble?

While in some cases nearly identical to feeble, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When can infirm be used instead of feeble?

Although the words infirm and feeble have much in common, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

In what contexts can weak take the place of feeble?

The synonyms weak and feeble are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 feeble Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026 There has to be something more than this, looking feeble against a rookie lefty with average stuff followed by the worst bullpen in baseball. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Kenneth Branagh originated the somewhat aloof professor, who steps into the role after Professor Quirrell was revealed to be hosting the feeble Lord Voldemort on the back of his bald head. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Instead of using a mirror to gather starlight, MOTHRA has many telephoto lenses, like those on a camera, which can capture faintly glowing wisps of gas and other feeble emanations across a wider field of view. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feeble

Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeble

Adjective

The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.

— Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Less than a month after acquiring McCarthy in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, the Giants are turning to the 23-year-old quarterback to try to lead them to the playoffs in a weakened NFC East.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Most enamel-repair products rely on remineralization, which puts minerals back into weakened enamel using ingredients like fluoride, calcium, phosphate or hydroxyapatite.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

An individualized exercise and diet program can improve their chances of survival while on the waiting list, a study published Wednesday in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found, with the frailest patients often benefiting the most.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
In the novels, Violet is described as a small, frail cadet with dark black hair subtly streaked with silver who requires significantly more dragon-riding practice and precision than her peers.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of frail

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fee

feeble

feebleminded

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“Feeble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeble. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of feeble

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