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

The Takeaways When you, the adult child first notice new frailty and difficulty with an aging parent’s balance, initiate the conversation about how to remain safe. —Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

With it, not only the frailty of human relationships is revealed but also the disruptive potential of social media – within and between all generations. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025

City might still have defensive frailties — particularly in transitional moments — but having Ruben Dias back at the heart of defence will not be underestimated by Guardiola, especially given this was just the second clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

The thousands of news articles profiling her over the years rarely failed to mention her diminutive size, juxtaposing the seeming frailty of her 105-pound frame with her fiery prose. —Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 10 Dec. 2024

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