feeble

adjective fee·ble \ ˈfē-bəl \

Updated on: 9 Dec 2017

Definition of feeble

feebler play \ˈfē-b(ə-)lər\; feeblest play \ˈfē-b(ə-)ləst\

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

play \ˈfē-bəl-nəs\ noun

—

feebly

play \ˈfē-blē\ adverb

See feeble defined for English-language learners

See feeble defined for kids

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 of feeble from the Web

The Arabs of Palestine were overmatched in the diplomatic realm, offering only feeble attempts at rolling back the declaration, said Mahmoud Yazbak, a history professor at the University of Haifa.

— david m. halbfinger, New York Times, "Balfour Declaration of Support for Jewish Homeland Still Divisive at 100," 2 Nov. 2017
With Brexit hanging over the outlook and the expansion feeble, the BOE’s not seeking to quell price pressures generated by strengthening growth.

— fergal o'brien, Bloomberg.com, "Bank of England Rate Decision Tests Carney’s Credibility," 1 Nov. 2017
Facing Astros starter Charlie Morton, the group looked feeble in the face of his darting two-seam fastballs.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Dodgers pull even in World Series by defeating Astros 6-2 in Game 4," 28 Oct. 2017
And the fact that Trump is too feeble-minded to form a stable preference – and that he is repeatedly swayed to the side of whoever speaks to him last – does not dissuade Cornyn to break free of his subservient role.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Jeff Flake’s Rousing Speech Illustrates Trump’s Stranglehold on the GOP," 24 Oct. 2017
That force is so feeble that a typical neutrino, subject only to its suggestions, will pass through a light year of lead unscathed.

— frank wilczek, WSJ, "Seeing the Universe Like a Quantum Particle," 3 Aug. 2017
Putin is too disreputable and autocratic and Russia too feeble, suspect, and distant; and France’s Macron is still an unknown quantity.

— conrad black, National Review, "Germany’s Moment," 27 Sep. 2017
Prove to me that your first two wins weren’t mirages, mere strokes of luck against feeble opponents.

— carlos monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Carlos Monarrez: Detroit Lions still have plenty to prove," 23 Sep. 2017
Stop banging your head over the Dolphins’ second feeble offensive performance in three games.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: Dolphins are in trouble — but this can pass quickly | Commentary," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feeble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of feeble

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

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First Known Use: 12th century

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feeble Synonyms

Synonyms

asthenic, debilitated, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, weak, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weakened, wimpish, wimpy

Antonyms

mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong

Related Words

challenged, disabled, incapacitated, invalid; paralyzed; broken-down, decrepit; impotent, powerless; breakable, flimsy, fragile; dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy; drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out; damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, lame, unsound; resistless, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding

Near Antonyms

able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile; hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough; fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened; energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized; hale, healthy, sound; capable, competent; convalescing, recovering, recuperating

Synonym Discussion of feeble

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 crippling 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

FEEBLE Defined for English Language Learners

feeble

adjective

Definition of feeble for English Language Learners

: very weak
: not good enough : not successful or effective

FEEBLE Defined for Kids

feeble

adjective fee·ble \ ˈfē-bəl \

Definition of feeble for Students

feebler \-blər\; feeblest \-bləst\

1 : lacking in strength or endurance

a feeble old dog

2 : not effective or sufficient

a feeble attempt

Her feeble cry could not be heard.

—

feebleness

\-bəl-nəs\ noun

—

feebly

\-blē\ adverb

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FEEBLE Defined for English Language Learners

feeble

Definition of feeble for English Language Learners

FEEBLE Defined for Kids

feeble

Definition of feeble for Students

feebleness

feebly

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