decrepitude

American

[dih-krep-i-tood, -tyood] / dɪˈkrɛp ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

decrepit condition; dilapidated state; feebleness, especially from old age.

Etymology

Origin of decrepitude

1595–1605; < French décrépitude, derivative of décrépit decrepit; -tude

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They asked: "How do we ethically justify forcing these bodies to continue to exist in decrepitude?"

From BBC • May 13, 2025

Even for classic car enthusiasts, there’s a point of extreme decrepitude that precludes restoration but ignites reimagination.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2023

For years, the levee running along the Pajaro River had been neglected despite concerns about its decrepitude.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2023

Many famous defendants have aimed for respectability, maturity, wide-eyed innocence or even pitiful decrepitude on their days in court.

From Washington Post • Mar. 25, 2023

Almost pulverized at that time by the decrepitude of death, Prudencio Aguilar would come twice a day to chat with him.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023