Definition

Adjective 1. Lacking physical strength, vigor, or vitality; weak and frail. This describes a state of pronounced bodily weakness, often due to age, illness, or inherent lack of robustness.

Usage and Examples

The adjective debile is a formal and somewhat rare term. It is typically used to describe a person or sometimes a thing that exhibits a marked lack of strength or energy.

• The long illness left him debile and unable to leave his bed.
• She cared for her debile grandfather with great devotion.
• (Figurative) The debile argument failed to convince anyone on the committee.

Advanced Usage

• Comparative and Superlative Forms: The standard forms are more debile and most debile. The forms "debilier" and "debiliest" are not conventionally used.
• Contextual Nuance: Debile often carries a connotation of a weakened state that is noticeable and significant, beyond mere tiredness. It can imply a fragility or lack of resilience.

Variants and Related Words

• Debility (noun): The state or condition of being debile; weakness.
  • The patient's general debility was a concern for the doctors.
• Debilitate (verb): To make someone or something weak or feeble.
  • The disease can debilitate even the strongest individuals.

Synonyms

• Feeble: Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
• Frail: (Of a person) weak and delicate.
• Weak: Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks.
• Infirm: Not physically or mentally strong, especially through age or illness.
• Sapped: Drained of strength or vitality.

Antonyms

• Strong
• Robust
• Vigorous
• Sturdy
• Powerful

Notes on Usage

Debile is considered a more literary or medical term. In everyday modern English, synonyms like feeble, frail, or weak are far more common and should generally be preferred for clarity. Its use can sometimes sound archaic or overly formal.

Adjective

1. lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
   • a feeble old woman
   • her body looked sapless