infirm

Examples

• All

• Soldiers assist the elderly and infirm in getting themselves into the caves.

  Fiction book (2002)

• How do civilized societies deal with the aged, the infirm, and the disadvantaged?

  Academic text (2000)

• Give your love to the old, the infirm, give it to the children.

  Almost an Angel (1990)

• We wonder why we get infirm and lose our memories as we get old.

  Tom Bilyeu

• What of all the good folks who are too old or infirm to do work, etc.?

  Blog text (18)

• Your Honor, as you can see, my clients are elderly and infirm.

  Casino (1995)

• Frail or infirm older people and people with AIDS require many of the same services and supports.

  Academic text (1991)

• When household emergencies confronted the poor, the aged, or the infirm, this crisis squad was geared to respond on the double.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Implicit in the increased numbers of elderly is an increase in the number of elderly infirm and chronically ill persons.

  Academic text (1997)

• A private hauler, Deffenbaugh Industries, offers curbside, alley, and special collections of yard trimmings for elderly or infirm residents.

  Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

W

weak

vsinfirm

524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

is used mainly for age or illness related bodily frailty

I

impaired

vsinfirm

49 4.4

Not working well because of damage or weakness

refers specifically to reduced bodily strength often from age or illness rather than damage

F

feeble

vsinfirm

25 3.9

Physically or mentally weak and low in energy

focuses more on bodily muscle weakness often from age or illness

D

decrepit

vsinfirm

9 7.0

A living thing that is very weak and thin from old age or long illness

emphasizes frailty without implying long wear or being worn out

R

rickety

vsinfirm

2 7.0

Physically weak, often with shaky or bent legs

tends to highlight instability or shakiness rather than general frailty

D

debilitated

vsinfirm

1 7.0

Very weak and lacking energy because of illness or injury

can also mean weakness especially related to age rather than injury

D

debile

vsinfirm

• Archaic

9.9

Weak in the body and having little strength

focuses on weakness often caused by age or illness

Antonyms

S

strong

∞ 1.0

Having great physical power or being solid enough to resist force

H

healthy

695 1.0

In good body and mind condition without sickness or injury

How Strong

powerful

∞ 1.7

strong

∞ 1.0

infirm

• Formal

9 6.1

frail

6.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology