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 Harper and Ullman said the younger women sometimes looked after elderly, infirm or penniless prisoners. Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 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 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 Friends and neighbors – some infirm – remained in their homes as nearly 30 feet of water rushed down the French Broad River system, rising in a matter of minutes, trapping a dozen neighbors unable to scramble to higher ground. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for infirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirm
Adjective
  • Meta Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead called the case weak and a deterrent to tech investment in a blog post on Sunday.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Dell Technologies’ balance sheet appears relatively weak.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This was the spring of 2020, however, and the impossibilities of international travel, and my dad’s frail health, delayed the journey.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The op-ed also followed Biden's frail performance against President Donald Trump in the June 27 presidential debate.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Right-hander Michael King toyed with Colorado’s feeble offense and pitched his first complete-game shutout.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • One feeble shift by the Freddy Gaudreau line led to the Flames countering and Sharangovich scoring on a deflection off a harmless-looking shot by Martin Pospisil.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Gordon Hartman founded it in 2010 in honor of his disabled daughter, Morgan.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 19 Apr. 2025
  • As the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, Oz is now in charge of Medicare, the federal organization covering healthcare for Americans over 65 years old and disabled people as well as Medicaid, the org that provides medical coverage for low-income people.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infirm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirm. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infirm

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