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- pronunciation:
- fi
b
 l
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
feebler, feeblest |
| definition 1: |
without strength or vigor, physically, mentally, or morally.
He become increasingly feeble with old age, but his wife remained vigorous.- synonyms:
- delicate, faint, frail, impotent, pale, powerless, puny, weak
- antonyms:
- lusty, mighty, robust, stout, strong, vigorous
- similar words:
- effete, fragile, infirm, languid, limp, run-down, sickly, wan
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| definition 2: |
lacking force or intensity, as sound or light.
The weak kitten made only a feeble cry.- synonyms:
- faint, pale, soft, thin, weak
- antonyms:
- forceful, lusty
- similar words:
- gentle, low, mild, obscure, small, vague
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| definition 3: |
insufficient or ineffective.
Uninterested in the game, he made only a feeble effort to learn how to play.- synonyms:
- deficient, faint, feckless, futile, inadequate, ineffective, inefficient, insufficient, pale, poor, powerless, unavailing, useless, weak
- antonyms:
- effective, forceful
- similar words:
- effete, flimsy, hopeless, incompetent, lame, limp, puny, slipshod
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| related words: |
bad, decrepit, delicate, meager, pale, remote, scant, scanty, slender, soft, thin, unhealthy, vapid, weak |
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| derivations: |
feebly (adv.), feebleness (n.) |
Feeble comes from flebeles, a Latin word that means "to be wept over."
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