frailty
noun
frail·ty ˈfrāl-tē 
plural frailties
1
: the quality or state of being frail
the frailty of her health
the frailty and disability in the elderly
2
: a fault due to weakness especially of moral character
Satire … often employs irony and sarcasm to denounce the frailties and faults of mankind.
Harry Shaw
Harry Shaw
Synonyms
- demerit
- dereliction
- failing
- fault
- foible
- shortcoming
- sin
- vice
- want
- weakness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the frailty of her voice We can no longer be surprised by the frailties of our political leaders.
Recent Examples on the Web Afterwards, caretaker manager Danny Stone — an assistant who stepped in with manager Juan Guerra out due to an agreement with Oakland, his former club — blamed Rising’s defensive frailty on its offensive carelessness. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2022 Toward the end of the queen’s life, Charles took on more of her duties, as a function of the queen’s increasing frailty but also, commentators said, as a way to prepare the public for his looming reign. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Is this a product of the shadow banking systems frailty or is this completely separate? Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica, 5 Aug. 2022 His frailty and struggle serve as an inspiration for others, sympathetic scars and all. Gen Handley, SPIN, 31 July 2022 But seeing Francis in his increasing frailty and advancing old age was very much a point of his visit. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Pope Francis spoke at his General Audience on Wednesday about the effects of old age, elderly frailty and the virtue of helplessness. Fox News, 22 June 2022 Other people, however, chose to live in a retirement community out of concern for their safety due to increasing frailty and generally deteriorating health. Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 26 May 2022 During his six days in Canada, Francis had moments both of sturdiness and frailty. Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 30 July 2022 See More
Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2022 Toward the end of the queen’s life, Charles took on more of her duties, as a function of the queen’s increasing frailty but also, commentators said, as a way to prepare the public for his looming reign. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Is this a product of the shadow banking systems frailty or is this completely separate? Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica, 5 Aug. 2022 His frailty and struggle serve as an inspiration for others, sympathetic scars and all. Gen Handley, SPIN, 31 July 2022 But seeing Francis in his increasing frailty and advancing old age was very much a point of his visit. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Pope Francis spoke at his General Audience on Wednesday about the effects of old age, elderly frailty and the virtue of helplessness. Fox News, 22 June 2022 Other people, however, chose to live in a retirement community out of concern for their safety due to increasing frailty and generally deteriorating health. Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 26 May 2022 During his six days in Canada, Francis had moments both of sturdiness and frailty. Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 30 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English frelete, freelte, borrowed from Anglo-French freleté, going back to Latin fragilitāt-, fragilitās, from fragilis "liable to break, weak, fragile" + -itāt-, -itās -ity
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
frailty
noun
frail·ty ˈfrāl-tē
plural frailties
1
: the quality or state of being weak
the old man's frailty
2
: a weakness of character
human frailty
frailties
noun
as in weaknesses
a defect in character selfishness is a common human frailty Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weaknesses
- faults
- shortcomings
- sins
- foibles
- failings
- deficiencies
- vices
- derelictions
- wants
- demerits
- flaws
- imperfections
- evils
- feet of clay
- corruptions
- blemishes
- blots
- stains
- immoralities
- minuses
- depravities
- soft spots
- spots
- nits
- Achilles' heels
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- virtues
- merits
- perfections
- excellences
- moralities
- integrities
- probities
- rectitudes