infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

1

: of poor or deteriorated vitality

especially : feeble from age

2

: weak of mind, will, or character : irresolute, vacillating

3

: not solid or stable : insecure

infirmly adverb

Synonyms

• asthenic
• debilitated
• delicate
• down-and-out
• effete
• enervated
• enfeebled
• faint
• feeble
• frail
• languid
• low
• prostrate
• prostrated
• sapped
• slight
• soft
• softened
• tender
• unsubstantial
• wasted
• weak
• weakened
• wimpish
• wimpy

Choose the Right Synonym for infirm

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 infirm in a Sentence

The clinic provides free care for elderly and infirm people who lack health insurance.

the elderly and infirm have to be especially careful during the winter months

Recent Examples on the Web

The patients, many aged and infirm, have been besieging lawmakers with meetings, calls and emails, pressing them to pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform, or SOAR, Act by the end of the year. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 16 Dec. 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. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin infirmus, from in- + firmus firm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infirm

• the infirm

Kids Definition

infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

: weak or frail in body (as from age or disease)

Medical Definition

infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

: of poor or deteriorated vitality

especially : feeble from age