infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

1

: of poor or deteriorated vitality

especially : feeble from age

2

: weak of mind, will, or character : irresolute, vacillating

3

: not solid or stable : insecure

infirmly adverb

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for infirm

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 infirm in a Sentence

The clinic provides free care for elderly and infirm people who lack health insurance.

the elderly and infirm have to be especially careful during the winter months

Recent Examples on the Web

The team’s droll, imperturbable manager, Dave Roberts, spent much of his summer issuing medical briefings on infirm pitchers. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

However, unless the patient/resident is so infirm that he or she can’t be moved, nothing prevents a son, daughter or grandchild from taking their relative out for a nice brunch, lunch or dinner. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024

The final version of the report has a higher price tag than the draft The Times published last month, primarily due to the addition of the higher level of care facilities, which officials say are needed for a population that’s increasingly infirm. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

Some Native American tribes did leave voluntarily; many of them, however, were transported by private contractors who kept the cost of moving people as low as possible by denying them any medical care and by forcing the old and infirm to march on foot, resulting in untold suffering and death. —David Treuer, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin infirmus, from in- + firmus firm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infirm

• the infirm

Kids Definition

infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

: weak or frail in body (as from age or disease)

Medical Definition

infirm

adjective

in·​firm in-ˈfərm 

: of poor or deteriorated vitality

especially : feeble from age