decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkre-pət 

1

: wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of old age

a decrepit old man

2

a

: impaired by use or wear : worn-out

a decrepit school bus

b

: fallen into ruin or disrepair

a decrepit industry

3

: dilapidated, run-down

an old, decrepit hotel

decrepitly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for decrepit

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 disabling 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

Examples of decrepit in a Sentence

My decrepit car barely starts.

Recent Examples on the Web

And until armed gangs, weeks later, raided their prison, they were kept in decrepit, inhumane conditions since their arrest two years earlier. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

Thomas is half-tricked and half-lured to the decrepit castle in which Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgård in ghoul makeup and an unexpectedly hearty mustache, is the only apparent resident, partially obscured and cloaked in shadows even when the two characters share a room. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025

Upon traveling to the count’s castle in Transylvania, Thomas discovers the decrepit Orlok is a vampire who has sinister intentions involving Helen. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

No weird, decrepit dude stuck inside the massive machine either. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin decrepitus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkrep-ət 

: broken down with age : worn-out