decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkre-pət 

1

: wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of old age

a decrepit old man

2

a

: impaired by use or wear : worn-out

a decrepit school bus

b

: fallen into ruin or disrepair

a decrepit industry

3

: dilapidated, run-down

an old, decrepit hotel

decrepitly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for decrepit

weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit mean not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort.

weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or disabling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

Examples of decrepit in a Sentence

My decrepit car barely starts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, which allocated $1 billion over five years to fix decrepit culverts, the unglamorous pipes that funnel water beneath roadways. —Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025

Working-class Black Chicagoans paid more for rent and living expenses and got smaller, more decrepit units with many more code violations than their white working-class counterparts. —Erik Wallenberg, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025

In the film, the decrepit vampire Orlok is obsessed with Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), the wife of Thomas Hutter (Hoult). —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

In the dog days of summer, the kids discover a decrepit house and the old man (Rentaro Mikuni) who lives there alone. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin decrepitus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkrep-ət 

: broken down with age : worn-out