In spite of his age and infirmity, he still writes plays and novels.
Older people often try to ignore their infirmities.
Synonyms: frailty, ill health, debility, deficiency More Synonyms of infirm
Synonyms: ailment, failing, weakness, fault More Synonyms of infirm
More Synonyms of infirm
infirm in British English
(ɪnˈfɜːm)
adjective
1.
a.
weak in health or body, esp from old age
b.
(as collective noun; preceded by the)
the infirm
2.
lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute
3.
not stable, sound, or secure
an infirm structure
an infirm claim
4. law
(of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid
Derived forms
infirmly (inˈfirmly)
adverb
infirmness (inˈfirmness)
noun
infirm in American English
(ɪnˈfɜrm)
adjective
1.
not firm or strong physically; weak; feeble, as from old age
2.
not firm in mind or purpose; not resolute; vacillating
3.
not stable, firm, or sound; frail; shaky, as a structure
4.
not secure or valid
an infirm title to property
SIMILAR WORDS: weak
Derived forms
infirmly (inˈfirmly)
adverb
infirmness (inˈfirmness)
noun
Word origin
ME < L infirmus
Examples of 'infirm' in a sentence
infirm
The companies that house and treat elderly, infirm and disabled people are fleeing the sector after suffering heavy losses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Companies that provide accommodation for elderly, infirm and disabled people have been hit by a perfect storm of rising costs and flat income from cash-strapped local councils.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You are too old and too infirm for our purposes.
The Sun (2012)
We now have a growing number of elderly and infirm people being locked away.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It could be used to help our elderly or infirm.
The Sun (2013)
Researchers hope that this can be used as a monitoring system for the sick or infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They split the young and healthy from the old and infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He provided soup kitchens for the sick and infirm.
Christianity Today (2000)
They looked like something strictly for the old and infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no retirement age and many members are old if not infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Is it any wonder that the elderly or the infirm want the right to consider taking their own lives?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Sometimes a partner has died and the other is too old or infirm to go out and buy food.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What worries me about assisted suicide is the emotional pressure that could potentially be put on the ill or infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
On the other hand, some tribes simply kill their old when they become infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What disadvantage would this mean for the elderly, infirm and technologically inept?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The sick, infirm and elderly must certainly hope so.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some areas offer help with gardens when the elderly or infirm can't cope.
The Sun (2012)
We should all look out for our neighbours, especially the old and infirm.
The Sun (2010)
Other flu viruses usually affect the young, the elderly and the infirm.
The Sun (2009)
It is the secondlargest provider of sheltered accommodation, mainly for the elderly and infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It not, it makes the person being touched feel either old and infirm or diminished and patronised.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It's Uber for the ill and infirm.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other cases, once the elder of the two becomes infirm, the difference in age may cause resentments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
infirm
British English: infirm ADJECTIVE
A person who is infirm is weak or ill, and usually old.
...her aging, infirm husband.
American English: infirm
Brazilian Portuguese: enfermo
Chinese: > 体弱的常指因年迈而
European Spanish: enfermizo
French: infirme
German: gebrechlich
Italian: invalido
Japanese: 衰弱した
Korean: 노쇠한
European Portuguese: enfermo
Latin American Spanish: enfermizo
1 (adjective)
Definition
physically or mentally weak, esp. from old age
my infirm husband
Synonyms
frail
She lay in bed looking particularly frail.
weak
I was too weak to move my arms and legs.
feeble
While I was ill I was too feeble to even stand.
failing
ailing
I stopped working to care for my ailing mother.
debilitated
decrepit
enfeebled
doddery
doddering
a doddering old man
Opposites
strong
,
sound
,
healthy
,
robust
,
vigorous
,
sturdy
,
hearty
2 (adjective)
She has little patience with the `infirm of purpose'.
Synonyms
irresolute
They launched the attack for fear of seeming irresolute.
weak
a clash between a weak minister and a domineering civil servant
faltering
He spoke in faltering English.
unstable
a house built on unstable foundations
shaky
Our house will remain on shaky foundations unless the architect sorts out the basement.
insecure
wavering
wobbly
His legs felt wobbly after the long flight.
indecisive
He was criticised as a weak and indecisive leader.