feeble

adjective

ˈfē-bəl How to pronounce feeble (audio)
Definition of feeblenext
as in weak
lacking bodily strength feeble members of the congregation are not expected to stand or kneel during services

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Salvi’s wife, Kathy, current chair of the statewide GOP, has the unenviable task of trying to rebuild what is a feeble Republican Party in deep-blue Illinois. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Alex lived strong, died well, gave birth to a pivotal Dutton baby, dumped her feeble aristo fiancé for Spencer, and gave viewers a love story saga. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 Some deals hint at a relatively robust multifamily residential sector while other transactions suggest feeble property values. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 Li chronicles many feeble efforts to acknowledge the magnitude of her suffering; parts of her book are a kind of etiquette guide. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feeble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feeble
  1. weak
  2. frail
Adjective
  • The report also included a number of ‘weak’ odor sources observed during the study, including odors emanating from the Curaleaf cannabis facility on Britt Road and Goldflower Cannabis facility on Niles Road.
    — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025
  • Thompson’s brother Maurice, who allegedly drove the chasing Chevrolet Equinox, was granted bail in October — indicating a potentially weak case.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Our frail nature, damaged by our propensity to mess things up, stands in need of grace and salvation.
    — Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
  • Remembering Pope Francis, a leader known for change Pope Francis' death comes just one day after the frail but determined pontiff greeted thousands after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of frail

Browse Nearby Words

fee
feeble
feebleminded
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Cite this Entry

“Feeble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feeble. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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