frailty

noun

ˈfrāl-tē How to pronounce frailty (audio)
Definition of frailtynext
1
as in weakness
a defect in character selfishness is a common human frailty

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exhaustion
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor frailty doesn't affect all elderly people, for many are indeed healthy and strong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in softness
the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character the frailty shown by the apostle Peter when he denied Jesus three times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun frailty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frailty are failing, fault, foible, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would failing be a good substitute for frailty?

The words failing and frailty can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

In what contexts can fault take the place of frailty?

The words fault and frailty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When can foible be used instead of frailty?

While the synonyms foible and frailty are close in meaning, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When is it sensible to use vice instead of frailty?

The synonyms vice and frailty are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 frailty Neurological conditions and other conditions — such as diabetes, frailty, autoimmune issues and chronic pain — were the most commonly cited underlying medical conditions. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 July 2025 Robbed of its former range and projection, Simon’s once-flexible instrument displayed wear, thinness and frailty. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 The man machine is not fully human, stripped of frailty, emotion, decay. —Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 There are also growing concerns about loss of muscle and bone mass and the potential to accelerate frailty and functional decline. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for frailty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frailty
  1. weakness
  2. exhaustion
  3. sin
  4. fault
  5. fatigue
  6. shortcoming
Noun
  • Angela, a choir director and family history consultant for her local church, was first hospitalized on March 6 complaining of dizziness and weakness.
    — Christine Pelisek, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • The weakness could be due to the new 30% tariffs that President Donald Trump threatened against the European Union and Mexico over the weekend.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 July 2025
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • This matter of loss exhaustion brings me to the first caveat about fancified indexing.
    — William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • For Baser, this past year has been a learning experience, a chance to reacquaint herself with her inner child in the midst of exhaustion.
    — Sophie Williams, Billboard, 25 July 2025
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • Plated with vegan sour cream or traditional Icelandic skyr and a pile of pickled veggies, their rotating flavors include options like daal, chile sin carne and smoked tofu (3,200 ISK for 10).
    — New York Times, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of sin
Noun
  • State officials initially tried to put fault on the NWS early on in the flood recovery efforts, claiming the agency did not properly convey the storm's threat, but experts have since said the warnings issued were as timely and accurate as could have been expected.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The two men immediately began arguing over who was at fault, cops said.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Definition of fault
Noun
  • There is excitement and motivation, but also fatigue, irritability and unexpected stress.
    — Inga Bielińska, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • During this phase, people with migraines often develop symptoms that are characteristic and recognizable, like dizziness, fatigue, difficulty focusing, sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia), neck pain and stiffness before the onset of actual head pain, Pavlovic explains.
    — Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 14 July 2025
Definition of fatigue
Noun
  • At the same time, the broader AI industry is also grappling with how to address important shortcomings and privacy concerns around the technology.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
  • But in spite of these successes, Einstein’s theory also has shortcomings.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 16 July 2025
Definition of shortcoming

Browse Nearby Words

frailties
frailty
frame
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Cite this Entry

“Frailty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frailty. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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