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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

Example 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 Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami emerged from Hamas vehicles looking frail and weak, before they were made to speak on stage. Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2025 No clear alternative exists in most legal documents when the frail or impaired aging parent refuses to resign and allow the competent adult child to take over, either financial decisions, healthcare decisions or both. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Last week, three male Israeli hostages who were released were frail and gaunt — appearing to be in worse condition than previous hostages Hamas released. Daniel Estrin, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the sight of the frail hostages was shocking and would be addressed. Joey Roulette, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail
Adjective
  • Efficiency at what cost? Read: The rise of techno-authoritarianism Careless People illustrates how this ideological vacuum is filled by its leaders’ fleeting whims and governed by their fragile egos.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • What unfolds is a two-person dialogue on the subject of fragile masculinity.
    Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation, which is often more prevalent with higher percentages of urea.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Her role focused on safeguarding the CFPB's sensitive data, including transaction records from credit reporting agencies, complaints filed by citizens, and information from Big Tech companies under investigation.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Murena Pixel Tablet And Third-Party Apps The ecosystem for Android tablets is weaker than that of Android smartphones.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Cleanup crews noted the tree’s root system was very weak.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sitting in his idling pickup one afternoon, Sherlock watched as a Canadian Pacific train rumbled by the grain elevator in the small town of Wimbledon.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • His 2024 numbers and also 2025 spring training numbers are both very small sample sizes, so the jury is still out on Warren.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The scripts of the new series are laugh-out-loud funny, managing a delicate balance of raucous, lewd and sweet humor.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • This is a lovely Champagne with appealing aromas of pear, passion fruit and a delicate hint of yeast.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis' feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter's Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • When experienced all at once, these features can further shake an emerging adult’s already feeble sense of stability.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Founded in 1879, The Glenrothes is a Speyside single malt producer that often highlights a few key aspects of its whisky production: very soft (low mineral content) water, vibrant and fruity new-make spirit, and the hallmark floral notes that develop in its highly aged stocks.
    David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Step 4: Apply the solution and scrub the carpet Apply the solution to the carpet and use a soft upholstery brush to scrub it in, working in small sections.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The number of outlets that invest in both their writers and their audience is slim and thinning.
    Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Yet no one at those places remembers him -- except for a single slim lead.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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