Synonyms for

Frail

Verb / freɪl / Another word for frail — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

easily damaged or broken; weak or delicate

Synonyms & similar words

fallible weak imperfect delicate fragile robust fragile weak delicate feeble frangible breakable brittle crumbly crisp decrepit doddering enervated faint flimsy frangible infirm rickety shaky sickly

Synonyms by register

Formal

delicate feeble weak infirm

Informal

puny wimpy brittle

Literary

attenuated wan ethereal

Antonyms

strong robust healthy vigorous sturdy hale sound

Common collocations

  • frail health
  • frail elderly
  • frail body
  • frail voice
  • frail hands
  • frail condition
  • frail and weak

Word family

noun frailty
adjective frail
adverb frailly

Usage note

Often used to describe the elderly or those in poor health. Can sometimes carry a connotation of being easily broken or damaged.

Example sentences

  1. She is too frail to lift anything heavy.
  2. The old house had a frail roof that leaked.
  3. The frail flower wilted in the hot sun.
  4. The frail bird was unable to fly due to its broken wing.
  5. The frail old man walked with a cane.

Quotes

  • I am frail, but the gods are strong. - Cassandra Clare
  • The human heart is a strange vessel. Love and hatred can exist side by side. - Scott Westerfeld
  • A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death. - Martin Luther King Jr.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words