feeble

[ fee-buhl ]

adjective

, fee·bler, fee·blest.

1. physically weak, as from age or sickness; frail.
2. weak intellectually or morally:

   a feeble mind.

3. lacking in volume, loudness, brightness, distinctness, etc.:

   a feeble voice; feeble light.

4. lacking in force, strength, or effectiveness:

   feeble resistance; feeble arguments.

feeble

/ ˈfiːbəl /

adjective

1. lacking in physical or mental strength; frail; weak
2. inadequate; unconvincing

   feeble excuses

3. easily influenced or indecisive

Derived Forms

• ˈfeebly, adverb
• ˈfeebleness, noun

Other Words From

• feeble·ness noun
• feeblish adjective
• feebly adverb
• non·feeble adjective
• non·feeble·ness noun
• non·feeb·ly adverb
• un·feeble adjective
• un·feeble·ness noun
• un·feeb·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeble¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English feble, from Old French, variant of fleible (by dissimilation), from Latin flēbilis “lamentable,” equivalent to flēre “to weep” + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeble¹

C12: from Old French feble, fleible, from Latin flēbilis to be lamented, from flēre to weep

Synonym Study

See weak.

Example Sentences

He wants us to imagine straight male American soldiers are "honorable, powerful and deadly," but also portrays them as too feeble to handle the diverse modern military.

From Salon

To be fair, California’s dominant, super-majority liberal leadership has been feeble in the face of homelessness, income inequality, child poverty and the housing affordability crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

She also disliked the final scenes of the film which seemed to paint her as feeble, especially as she shows no sign of slowing down at the age of 83.

From Salon

England were spun to a feeble defeat before lunch on the third day of the final Test in Rawalpindi to give resurgent Pakistan a 2-1 series win.

From BBC

As one of a handful of younger volunteers, he’s worried about the longevity of the program as he’s seen staff and volunteers grow feeble and unable to help deliver meals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ailing
• decrepit
• flabby
• fragile
• frail
• incompetent
• inefficient
• infirm
• lame
• paltry
• puny
• sickly
• tame
• weak
• weakened