1
as in fragile
easily broken
a frail eggshell
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensitive
easily injured without careful handling
be careful with your grandmother, as she's very frail and a fall would be disastrous
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3
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
he was frail after a long battle with bronchitis
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4
as in weakened
lacking strength of will or character
a frail person, easily swayed by others
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5
as in small
small in degree
a frail hope of success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frail
Currently, the dog is too frail to be adopted, LaBella noted, and will need to undergo numerous tests and evaluations before she can be released to the public, including behavioral testing and vaccinations.
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Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Mentally, though, Derek is in a frailer condition.
—Craig McLean, Variety, 4 Dec. 2025
Based on this analysis, participants were classified as socially frail, pre-frail or non-frail.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Europe has also done commendable work on sustaining Ukraine’s frail financial system and covering most of its civilian budget needs.
—Olga Tokariuk, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail
Adjective
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The synthetic insulation can be beaten up more than fragile down, and the 15-denier fabric is water-resistant and durable for extended wear.—
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The latter provides the opportunity for a harrowing sequence in which the family is forced to cross a giant ravine on a treacherously fragile rope ladder.—
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
Adjective
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New orders contracted for a fourth month and export bookings remained weak, based on the ISM data.—
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Getting too little of either can lead to weak, brittle bones, and too much can also cause problems (like kidney stones or nausea).—
Adjective
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Lord & Taylor shut all its stores in 2019 after HBC sold the weakened retailer, and Hudson’s Bay in Canada liquidated last year, ending its 355-year run.—
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Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, older people, pregnant persons, and those with weakened immune systems.—
Adjective
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The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.—
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There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.—
Adjective
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This delicate balance allows massive galaxies to stay dormant for billions of years, even when star-forming material is present.—
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Ballerina styles, those with lace-up construction, are emerging as a standout, adding a delicate, fashion-forward touch while remaining practical.—
Adjective
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The reality is that although Venezuela has vast reserves—about 17% of the entire planet’s oil is under Venezuelan soil—its production is feeble.—
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The hottest quarterback right now is Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, who had his career-best day last week against the feeble Jets.—
Adjective
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The hardware is built for intimacy, pairing a soft exterior with full-body sensors that react to a user’s touch on its head or neck.—
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So uncompromising as to turn hard heads into soft behinds.—
Cite this Entry
“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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