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View synonyms for infirm

infirm

[ in-furm ]

adjective

  1. feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.

    Synonyms: weak

    Antonyms: strong

  2. unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating:

    infirm of purpose.

    Synonyms: indecisive

    Antonyms: strong

  3. not firm, solid, or strong:

    an infirm support.

    Synonyms: unsteady, shaky, tottering, rickety, weak

    Antonyms: strong

  4. unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.

    Synonyms: weak



verb (used with object)

  1. to invalidate.

infirm

/ ɪnˈfɜːm /

adjective

    1. weak in health or body, esp from old age
    2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the infirm

  1. lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute
  2. not stable, sound, or secure

    an infirm claim

    an infirm structure

  3. law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid


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Derived Forms

  • inˈfirmly, adverb
  • inˈfirmness, noun

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Other Words From

  • in·firmly adverb
  • in·firmness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of infirm1

1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in- 3, firm 1

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Example Sentences

The next evening, Romero was saying mass in the chapel at the hospice where he lived in a tiny room near the infirm and the dying.

Was the infirm old soldier, perhaps, taking Obama to task for the scandals in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?

Are we unfairly neglecting the up-and-coming in favor of the old and infirm?

This created a good incentive for the other justices to lobby the infirm one to step down.

I get sick when I hear of the charities obliterated and the old and infirm investors who are left with nothing.

I do not intend to vex or grieve you by any conduct of mine; nor do I mean to leave you, now you are both infirm and old.

In addition there were several buildings devoted to the care of the aged, the infirm, and the sick.

Governmental care of the unemployed, the infant and the infirm, sounds like a chapter in socialism.

When that did not avail, its use was limited to feasts, banquets and sacrifices, and to guests and infirm old age.

It is probable that his infirm health and his isolated position were his protection.

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