frailty

noun

frail·​ty ˈfrāl-tē 

plural frailties

1

: the quality or state of being frail

the frailty of her health

the frailty and disability in the elderly

2

: a fault due to weakness especially of moral character

Satire … often employs irony and sarcasm to denounce the frailties and faults of mankind.

—Harry Shaw

Synonyms

• demerit
• dereliction
• failing
• fault
• foible
• shortcoming
• sin
• vice
• want
• weakness

Choose the Right Synonym for frailty

fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character.

fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Examples of frailty in a Sentence

the frailty of her voice

We can no longer be surprised by the frailties of our political leaders.

Recent Examples on the Web

Beset by coughing fits, alcoholism, and a healthy dose of self-loathing, Kilmer’s portrayal emphasized the human frailty of an Old West legend over masculine bravado. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025

More recently, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and a Republican legislature have been riding a tense tightrope of governing frailty. —Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025

Norway’s defensive frailty cost the country a place in Germany last summer. —Rory Smith, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

And ceding New York’s seat held by Stefanik would only add to the frailty, even in yet another district that Trump carried easily just a few months ago. —Philip Elliott, Time, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English frelete, freelte, borrowed from Anglo-French freleté, going back to Latin fragilitāt-, fragilitās, from fragilis "liable to break, weak, fragile" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

frailty

noun

frail·​ty ˈfrā(-ə)l-tē 

plural frailties

1

: the quality or state of being frail

2

: a weakness of character