feeble

adjective

fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl How to pronounce feeble (audio)
feebler ˈfē-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce feeble (audio) ; feeblest ˈfē-b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce feeble (audio)
Synonyms of feeble
1
a
: markedly lacking in strength
a feeble old man
b
: indicating weakness
taking only feeble steps
2
a
: deficient in qualities or resources that indicate vigor, authority, force, or efficiency
a feeble argument
cities are growing uncreative and feeble—Jane Jacobs
b
: inadequate, inferior
a feeble excuse
feebleness
ˈfē-bəl-nəs How to pronounce feeble (audio)
noun
feebly
ˈfē-blē How to pronounce feeble (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of feeble

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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 feeble in a Sentence

She's still feeble from her long illness. We heard a feeble cry for help. Business is suffering because of the feeble economy. He made a feeble attempt to explain his behavior. He offered a feeble excuse for his behavior. “Dislike” is too feeble a word for how she feels about him.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Punk made a feeble comeback attempt, and as Rhodes went for the Disaster Kick, Punk responded with a big boot. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Jacob Fatu and The Usos’ attempts to bring Sikoa back to the family have proven feeble. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Europe was economically too feeble and politically too fragmented to resist this Coca-Colonization. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for feeble

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feble, from Anglo-French, from Latin flebilis lamentable, wretched, from flēre to weep — more at bleat

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of feeble was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing feeble

Browse Nearby Words

fee bill
feeble
feebleminded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feeble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeble. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

feeble

adjective
fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl How to pronounce feeble (audio)
feebler -b(ə-)lər How to pronounce feeble (audio) ; feeblest -b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce feeble (audio)
1
: lacking in strength or endurance
2
: not forceful or loud
a feeble cry
a feeble attempt
feebleness
-bəl-nəs How to pronounce feeble (audio)
noun
feebly
-blē How to pronounce feeble (audio)
adverb

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