1
2
3
4
5

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 Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy appeared gaunt and frail as they were paraded by the militants on a makeshift stage in Gaza before they were handed over to the Red Cross. Michael Rios, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 He was wheeled into the courtroom Friday, visibly frail and hunched over. Essence News Editors, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025 The three male hostages released last Saturday appeared gaunt and frail, and Israelis reacted with anger and horror at their appearance. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2025 Levy – who was released as he was considered a humanitarian case – appeared particularly frail. Sophie Tanno and Mick Krever, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail
Adjective
  • This refusal could lead to a crisis with both Hamas and Egypt, the key mediator, at a delicate time for the already fragile truce.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Hours before talks began, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the cease-fire, a refusal that could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.
    Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The indictment alleges Tian also sent Duan links to Google Drive accounts containing sensitive information on US military weapons systems, such as Bradley and Stryker US Army fighting vehicles.
    Karina Tsui, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Ilia’s Clean Line Gel Eyeliner is a sight for sensitive eyes.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Salesforce shares fell in extended trading Wednesday on mixed quarterly results and weak guidance.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • There aren’t enough affordable ones and the charging infrastructure is weak.
    Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath that ice, the light sensors recorded an astronomically small number of photons: an upper range of 0.04 micromoles per square meter per second, a number very close to the theoretical minimum amount of light that photosynthesis can run on.
    Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The foyer is often a small space, so a hall tree can be overbearing.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • McGrath has been given full access to the Louis Vuitton archive, which includes vanity cases to transport delicate perfumes and cosmetics from 1854, and a range of powder compacts, brushes and mirrors seen in the 1920s.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The Aussie style is typically bone-dry with rapier-sharp acidity, chalk-dust texture, and delicate citrus and floral flavors.
    Christina Pickard, Bon Appétit, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • But the currency is still weak and spending still feeble, prompting fresh debate about what actions the country’s central bank should take.
    River Akira Davis, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Their emphasis on key soft skill behaviors makes everybody in the organization much better—even the youngest, least experienced employees.
    Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Others are naked and seemingly unaware of the viewer, cigarettes in hand and gazes soft.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The indices are etched directly into the external crystal to maintain the slim profile.
    Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on frail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!