infirm
Americanadjective
-
feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.
- Synonyms:
- weak
- Antonyms:
- strong
-
unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating.
infirm of purpose.
- Synonyms:
- indecisive
- Antonyms:
- strong
-
not firm, solid, or strong.
an infirm support.
- Antonyms:
- strong
-
unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.
- Synonyms:
- weak
verb (used with object)
adjective
-
-
weak in health or body, esp from old age
-
( as collective noun; preceded by the )
the infirm
-
-
lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute
-
not stable, sound, or secure
an infirm structure
an infirm claim
-
law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid
Other Word Forms
- infirmly adverb
- infirmness noun
Etymology
Origin of infirm
1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in- 3, firm 1
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.
In early scenes, he has a small curved line denoting a chubby chin, which changes over time to straight lines on each cheek, narrowing his face when he is old and infirm.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026
Bardot had dealt with infirm health in recent years, including hospitalization for a breathing issue in July 2023 and additional hospital stays in 2025.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2025
Humanoid robots could assist the elderly or infirm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025
Staples literally got the sick and infirm to stand up.
From Salon • Jun. 17, 2025
Jon had sent ten of the Mole’s Town wildlings to each of them: green boys, old men, some wounded and infirm, but all capable of doing work of one sort or another.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
