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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective frail contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frail are decrepit, feeble, fragile, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When would decrepit be a good substitute for frail?

The words decrepit and frail can be used in similar contexts, but decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When could feeble be used to replace frail?

While the synonyms feeble and frail are close in meaning, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When can fragile be used instead of frail?

In some situations, the words fragile and frail are roughly equivalent. However, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

Where would infirm be a reasonable alternative to frail?

While in some cases nearly identical to frail, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

When is weak a more appropriate choice than frail?

The words weak and frail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

Examples 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 frail Nevertheless, there are those in the Israeli establishment, including reportedly the head of the Mossad, who are pushing for an attack on economically frail Iran. Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Dec. 2024 His frail body was found in that room on Dec. 22 by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, who were called to the South Pershing Avenue home by the boy's father. Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024 For decades, the desperate need for government to help support middle-income frail older adults, younger people with disabilities, and their family members has been clear. Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 It can be accompanied by diarrhea, and dehydration is a concern, particularly for the very young and for older people who are frail and who have chronic underlying illnesses, such as diabetes. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for frail 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail
Adjective
  • Michigan’s situation was particularly fragile given Harbaugh’s long-running flirtations with the NFL, so perhaps Ohio State will have more time to bask in the championship afterglow.
    Austin Meek, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Nashville, in taking control of the game against the fragile Sharks, scored twice in 53 seconds midway through the second period and added three more goals in the first 8:09 of the third.
    Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Allergies acting up: Homeowners who are sensitive to dust, pollen, or animal hair may notice their allergies acting up before anything else.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
  • During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Musk embraced the Republican Party and then Trump, his pro-China views brought him into conflict with parts of the MAGA coalition, including on the sensitive topic of immigration.
    John Hyatt, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The team continues to play great with a different weak spot each season, so maybe that’s part of the excitement and drama of being a fan of the franchise now. · 5h 1m ago Thanks Chandler, good stuff as always.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Its economy is already facing a deepening malaise, brought on by a property crisis, mounting government debt and weak consumer spending.
    David Pierson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sitting in front of local leaders, Trump again wrongly blamed elements of the fire disaster on a lack of water resources coming from the Delta and environmental protections for the delta smelt, a small fish near extinction that has become a symbol of GOP frustration.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Bad decisions — the kind that can be, if not reversed, at least remedied — are an essential part of adolescence: lapses that teach us about our desires, our impulses, our weaknesses, our essential character, and leave us with no greater damage than a throbbing hangover or a small, smudgy tattoo.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But even though the tech has made strides, the replicating subtle, delicate, nuanced sensations of touch has remained just out of reach.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Instead of creating huge reservoirs to dam the rivers and compromise their delicate ecology, Bhutanese turbines harness their natural flow, meaning a glut of power during the sodden summers and a dearth during the parched winters.
    By Charlie Campbell/Gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The antihero actioner earned a feeble $4.7 million across Friday and preview screenings from 3,211 locations.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Those with muscle dysmorphia usually have a belief or preoccupation that their body is weak, feeble, too small, or not muscular enough.
    Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With a focus on soft, natural tones, sustainable materials and biophilic elements like plants and greenery, this trend transforms hospitality spaces into peaceful sanctuaries.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Downy refers to the soft, white feathers located on a white stripe down its back.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Topline The odds are slim that President-elect Donald Trump saves TikTok for U.S. users long term, at least according to the prediction markets which became mainstream during the 2024 election, with millions of dollars on the line betting the popular video app will soon go dark for Americans.
    Derek Saul, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The pickings are bound to be a bit slim, which is why my list of potential targets is so brief.
    Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near frail

Cite this Entry

“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on frail

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