Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective infirm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of infirm are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

When would decrepit be a good substitute for infirm?

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

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of infirm?

Although the words feeble and infirm have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When could fragile be used to replace infirm?

The synonyms fragile and infirm are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 infirm?

The words frail and infirm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When can weak be used instead of infirm?

The meanings of weak and infirm largely overlap; however, 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 infirm The investigation reveals a dismal picture of a company with a sales culture that depends on squeezing infirm and elderly patients and the government for every penny. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024 The team’s droll, imperturbable manager, Dave Roberts, spent much of his summer issuing medical briefings on infirm pitchers. Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 However, unless the patient/resident is so infirm that he or she can’t be moved, nothing prevents a son, daughter or grandchild from taking their relative out for a nice brunch, lunch or dinner. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024 The final version of the report has a higher price tag than the draft The Times published last month, primarily due to the addition of the higher level of care facilities, which officials say are needed for a population that’s increasingly infirm. Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for infirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirm
Adjective
  • There aren’t enough affordable ones and the charging infrastructure is weak.
    Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • By late this evening, the winds will be significantly weaker.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • No clear alternative exists in most legal documents when the frail or impaired aging parent refuses to resign and allow the competent adult child to take over, either financial decisions, healthcare decisions or both.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Last week, three male Israeli hostages who were released were frail and gaunt — appearing to be in worse condition than previous hostages Hamas released.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • When experienced all at once, these features can further shake an emerging adult’s already feeble sense of stability.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But the currency is still weak and spending still feeble, prompting fresh debate about what actions the country’s central bank should take.
    River Akira Davis, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In Vietnam, a program assisting disabled people through training caregivers and providing at-home medical care stopped, according to Humanity & Inclusion. 20.
    SAM MEDNICK, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • This puts access to services in jeopardy at a time when nearly 512,000 disabled Americans are on waiting lists in their states.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirm. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!