You might feel weak sometimes, whether in your body, mind, or even in a situation. Knowing other words for weak can help you explain yourself better. Words like frail, feeble, and fragile show different kinds of weakness. In this article, you will learn about the 17 best synonyms for weak with examples to help you use them right.
1. Frail
Frail means someone or something is very weak, especially in health or strength. It often describes older people or things that can break easily. For example, “The frail old man needed help to walk.” When you say someone is frail, it shows they are delicate and not very strong. You can also use frail for objects, like “The frail glass broke when dropped.” Frail shows a kind of weakness that comes from being fragile or easily hurt, making it clear that strength is missing in either body or material.
2. Feeble
Feeble means very weak and lacking power or strength. It is often used to describe someone’s effort, voice, or body. For example, “Her feeble voice could barely be heard.” Feeble can also describe actions that are weak or not effective, like “He made a feeble attempt to fix the problem.” This word shows that something or someone is not strong enough to do what is needed. Feeble is a good word to describe weakness that feels like it cannot get much done or is very soft.
3. Fragile
Fragile means easy to break or damage. It often describes objects but can also describe feelings or situations that need careful handling. For example, “Be careful with that fragile vase.” When talking about feelings, you might say, “She has a fragile heart after the loss.” Fragile shows weakness because something can be hurt or broken very easily. It tells people to be gentle or careful because strength is missing or very low.
4. Delicate
Delicate means something that is fine, soft, or easily damaged. It can describe things like flowers, skin, or even situations. For example, “The delicate flower needs gentle care.” You can also say, “This is a delicate matter that requires careful handling.” Delicate means weak in a way that needs protection. It suggests beauty but also a need for care because the thing is not strong or tough.
5. Powerless
Powerless means having no power or ability to control a situation. It can describe people, groups, or things that cannot change what is happening. For example, “The powerless team lost every game.” When someone feels powerless, they might say, “I feel powerless to stop this problem.” This word shows weakness in control or strength, not in the body but in ability. It helps describe feeling or being weak because you cannot do anything.
6. Wimpy
Wimpy is a casual word that means weak or lacking courage. It often describes people who are scared or not strong in action. For example, “He was too wimpy to speak up in class.” Wimpy can be used to describe behavior that seems soft or weak. It is a little informal and sometimes used to tease someone for not being brave or strong enough. Wimpy shows a kind of weakness that is about not being tough.
7. Ineffective
Ineffective means something does not work well or does not have the desired result. It can describe plans, actions, or people who fail to achieve a goal. For example, “The medicine was ineffective in curing the disease.” When a person’s efforts are ineffective, it means they are weak in results. Ineffective shows weakness because it points to a lack of power to make things happen or solve problems.
8. Flimsy
Flimsy means weak in structure or not strong enough to hold up. It is usually used for objects but can describe ideas or excuses. For example, “The table was so flimsy that it broke easily.” You might also say, “His excuse was flimsy and not believable.” Flimsy shows a physical or mental weakness that makes something unreliable or fragile. It tells that the thing or idea is too weak to last or be trusted.
9. Infirm
Infirm means physically weak or sick, often because of old age or illness. It describes people who cannot do much because their bodies are weak. For example, “The infirm patient needed constant care.” When someone is infirm, they are not strong enough to do normal activities without help. This word shows a real, serious kind of weakness that affects health and ability.
10. Faint
Faint means very weak or barely noticeable. It can describe sounds, feelings, or strength. For example, “I heard a faint noise outside.” Or, “She felt faint after standing too long.” Faint shows a weakness that is almost disappearing or very low. It suggests something is there but very weak or hard to see, hear, or feel. It is a good word to show how weak something is in a soft or quiet way.
11. Lame
Lame means weak, especially because of an injury or problem with legs or movement. It can also describe something that is not good or effective. For example, “He walked with a lame leg after the accident.” Or, “That was a lame excuse for missing the meeting.” Lame shows a type of weakness that slows someone down or makes something less useful. It can describe both physical weakness and weak ideas or actions.
12. Shaky
Shaky means weak and unsteady, often because of fear, illness, or lack of strength. For example, “Her hands were shaky from nervousness.” Or, “The shaky bridge worried everyone.” Shaky shows a kind of weakness that makes it hard to stay strong or steady. It tells that something or someone is not firm or stable, and it may fall or fail easily.
13. Soft
Soft means gentle, not hard or strong. It can describe feelings, voices, or even people who are not tough. For example, “He spoke in a soft voice.” Or, “The soft ground made it easy to walk.” Soft shows weakness in a calm and gentle way. It can be positive in kindness but also shows a lack of strength or toughness in other situations.
14. Tired
Tired means weak because of lack of energy or rest. It describes people or things that cannot work well because they are worn out. For example, “After running, she felt tired and weak.” Or, “The tired old car barely started.” Tired shows weakness from being used up or exhausted. It is a common way to explain why someone or something cannot be strong or active.
15. Wobbly
Wobbly means weak and unsteady, like it might fall or shake. It is often used for movement or balance. For example, “The wobbly chair felt unsafe.” Or, “He was wobbly on his feet after the long walk.” Wobbly shows weakness in stability. It means not firm or strong, and it suggests danger of falling or failing because the support is weak.
16. Puny
Puny means small and weak, often in size or strength. It describes people, animals, or things that look weak or not powerful. For example, “The puny kitten could barely jump.” Or, “He felt puny compared to the big players.” Puny shows weakness by focusing on how small or weak something looks or feels. It is often used to make the weakness more obvious.
17. Thin
Thin means having little body fat or muscle and can describe weakness in health or strength. For example, “The thin boy looked weak and tired.” Or, “The thin ice was dangerous to walk on.” Thin can show weakness because less body or strength means less power or protection. It helps explain physical weakness clearly.
Final Thoughts
Knowing different words for weak helps you describe many kinds of weakness. Each synonym shows a special type of being weak, from health to courage or strength to stability. Using these words makes your language richer and more clear. You can better explain yourself or understand others by choosing the right word for the kind of weakness you mean.
