decrepit

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective decrepit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of decrepit are feeble, fragile, frail, infirm, and weak. While all these words mean "not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort," decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

When can feeble be used instead of decrepit?

The meanings of feeble and decrepit largely overlap; however, feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

When would fragile be a good substitute for decrepit?

In some situations, the words fragile and decrepit are roughly equivalent. However, fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

When might frail be a better fit than decrepit?

While the synonyms frail and decrepit are close in meaning, frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

When could infirm be used to replace decrepit?

Although the words infirm and decrepit have much in common, infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

In what contexts can weak take the place of decrepit?

The words weak and decrepit can be used in similar contexts, but weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decrepit Most large pieces of space junk — decrepit satellites and spent rocket bodies, for example — break apart during their fiery trips back to Earth, creating artificial meteor showers. Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025 This move also raises questions about what would happen with the existing facilities on Rikers, which are decrepit and in need of significant repair. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025 The year before, they’d been booted out of the city’s Eagle Square neighborhood, lined with decrepit but tantalizing old mill warehouses. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 The motel, which had grown decrepit over the years, was acquired by the state park system in 2001. Matt Stevens, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decrepit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrepit
Adjective
  • Police questioned him in 1994 after a man named Mark Peters turned up dead, tied to a chair in a dilapidated cabin in northern Kentucky.
    Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
  • Disaster could have been avoided The bridge project aimed to replace a dilapidated wood bridge about 27 miles northeast of Kansas City, in unincorporated Clay County.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • And, in the long run, economists say that will translate to a weaker economy and a lower standard of living.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
  • Thanks to a weak front sliding across Central Florida, Thursday will be a bit cooler than prior days.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decrepit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrepit. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decrepit

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