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单词 feeble
释义

feeble

adjective

fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl How to pronounce feeble (audio)
feebler ˈfē-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce feeble (audio) ; feeblest ˈfē-b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce feeble (audio)
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
ˈfē-bəl-nəs How to pronounce feeble (audio)
noun
feebly
ˈfē-blē How to pronounce feeble (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The only shame comes from an inability to take responsibility for your actions, or worse, project your mistakes onto others in a feeble attempt to avoid conflict. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2022 When pressed on the subject at Big Ten media days, Jim Harbaugh didn’t seem keen on discussing the Wolverines’ feeble nonconference schedule. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2022 The People’s Bank of China last week unexpectedly trimmed two of its policy rates in response to slowing growth and feeble demand for credit. Jason Douglas, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Taking a feeble slap at the ball, Norton mimics the way Newman had attempted to force a turnover. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 All year long, the Sox have argued that their feeble performances against divisional competition didn’t matter. Jason Mastrodonato, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2022 Today, at rallies of Hindu nationalist hard-liners, Gandhi is routinely vilified as feeble in his tactics against the British and overly conciliatory to India’s Muslims, who broke off and formed their own state, Pakistan, on Aug. 14, 1947. Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Today, at rallies of Hindu nationalist hard-liners, Gandhi is routinely vilified as feeble in his tactics against the British and overly conciliatory to India’s Muslims, who broke off and formed their own state, Pakistan, on Aug. 14, 1947. Gerry Shih, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022 Lisa shouts, a feeble, last attempt to protect their secret. Haeryun Kang, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

feeble

adjective

fee·​ble ˈfē-bəl How to pronounce feeble (audio)
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.

feeble

adjective

as in weak
lacking bodily strength feeble members of the congregation are not expected to stand or kneel during services

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • weak
  • weakened
  • frail
  • enfeebled
  • faint
  • wimpy
  • infirm
  • debilitated
  • disabled
  • unsubstantial
  • tired
  • exhausted
  • languid
  • paralyzed
  • slight
  • soft
  • enervated
  • wimpish
  • sapped
  • asthenic
  • softened
  • vulnerable
  • low
  • fragile
  • effete
  • tender
  • weary
  • prostrated
  • incapacitated
  • wasted
  • delicate
  • prostrate
  • injured
  • impotent
  • decrepit
  • unsteady
  • invalid
  • challenged
  • flimsy
  • powerless
  • lame
  • down-and-out
  • dizzy
  • drained
  • impaired
  • damaged
  • hurt
  • susceptible
  • groggy
  • woozy
  • rocky
  • broken-down
  • breakable
  • resistless
  • unsound
  • worn-out
  • flagging
  • harmed
  • yielding
  • unresistant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • strong
  • powerful
  • mighty
  • stout
  • muscular
  • stalwart
  • robust
  • virile
  • rugged
  • sinewy
  • beefy
  • sturdy
  • hardy
  • brawny
  • vigorous
  • lusty
  • tough
  • hard
  • athletic
  • husky
  • fit
  • hardened
  • strengthened
  • energetic
  • strapping
  • fortified
  • healthy
  • sound
  • toughened
  • capable
  • competent
  • vitalized
  • energized
  • hale
  • able-bodied
  • inured
  • invigorated
  • red-blooded
  • recovering
  • convalescing
  • recuperating
See More

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of feeble are decrepit, fragile, frail, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

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

the dowager's decrepit retainers

The words fragile and feeble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

While in some cases nearly identical to feeble, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

Although the words infirm and feeble have much in common, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

The synonyms weak and feeble are sometimes interchangeable, but weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery
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更新时间:2025/2/1 2:58:34