infirm

adjective

in-ˈfərm How to pronounce infirm (audio)
Definition of infirmnext
as in weak
lacking bodily strength the elderly and infirm have to be especially careful during the winter months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective infirm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of infirm are decrepit, feeble, fragile, frail, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

When would decrepit be a good substitute for infirm?

While the synonyms decrepit and infirm are close in meaning, decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

In what contexts can feeble take the place of infirm?

Although the words feeble and infirm have much in common, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When could fragile be used to replace infirm?

The synonyms fragile and infirm are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When is it sensible to use frail instead of infirm?

The words frail and infirm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When can weak be used instead of infirm?

The meanings of weak and infirm largely overlap; however, 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 infirm With their branches weighted down by snow, his evergreens are infirm but not yet fallen—still here after the storm. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Feb. 2025 All of them lied, along with the mainstream media, as to how infirm Biden has been for years and would not admit that Kamala Harris’ policies were identical to Biden’s. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025 Harper and Ullman said the younger women sometimes looked after elderly, infirm or penniless prisoners. —Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 The investigation reveals a dismal picture of a company with a sales culture that depends on squeezing infirm and elderly patients and the government for every penny. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for infirm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirm
  1. weak
  2. frail
  3. feeble
  4. disabled
Adjective
  • Witness the rally in the railroads last week that crushed shorts banking on weaker transport earnings.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 July 2025
  • This weak cash generation capability raises questions about the company’s ability to fund growth investments and return capital to shareholders.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Severe infections are particularly dangerous for young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
    — Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, as well as those with a weakened immune system.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Definition of frail
Adjective
  • Joe Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate performance, when the nation witnessed a hoarse and feeble president losing his train of thought and struggling to finish sentences, ended his re-election campaign.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • Their feeble efforts fall flat, because the physical historical record dictates otherwise.
    — Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Definition of feeble
Adjective
  • Screenshots from a July 23 TikTok video of a disabled cat managing to get onto his owner's bed without any assistance.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Social Security provides monthly benefit checks to more than 70 million Americans, including retirees, disabled individuals and families.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Definition of disabled

Browse Nearby Words

infinity
infirm
infirmaries
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of infirm for Spanish Speakers

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