feeble

[fee-buhl]

adjective

feebler, feeblest 

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

Other Word Forms

• feebly adverb
• feebleness noun
• feeblish adjective
• nonfeeble adjective
• nonfeebleness noun
• nonfeebly adverb
• unfeeble adjective
• unfeebleness noun
• unfeebly 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

Rodgers has not won an Old Firm game in his last five attempts now - and this was the most feeble effort of all.

From BBC

They were feeble at times under Graham Potter after he took charge halfway through last season and, while he could argue that wasn't his team, he cannot have the same excuse now.

From BBC

NGOs said the EU had missed an opportunity to take action and that the response was feeble.

From BBC

In a feebler, curious state, falsehoods can take root while truth slips through our hands, and vice versa.

From Salon

After securing the series win in New Zealand in December, they lost the third and final Test in feeble fashion.

From BBC

Related Words

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