feeblish

feeblish

A small, feeblish kitten tries to climb onto a low sofa.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Slightly weak: "feeblish" describes something that is somewhat feeble or lacking in strength, force, or effectiveness, but not extremely so.
    • Somewhat faint: It can also refer to something that is dim, indistinct, or lacking in clarity or intensity, to a mild degree.
Usage Examples

  • Slightly weak:

    • His argument was feeblish, failing to convince even his supporters. (The argument was somewhat weak or lacking in strength.)
    • The old man’s voice was feeblish, barely audible across the room. (The voice was slightly feeble or lacking force.)

  • Somewhat faint:

    • The light in the hallway was feeblish, casting only a dim glow. (The light was somewhat faint or indistinct.)
    • Her smile was feeblish, showing only a hint of amusement. (The smile was slight or lacking in energy.)
Advanced Usage

  • "feeblish attempt": an effort that is only mildly or partially effective.

    • She made a feeblish attempt to lift the heavy box, but gave up quickly. (The attempt was weak and not very determined.)

  • "feeblish excuse": a justification that is not strong or convincing.

    • His feeblish excuse for being late did not satisfy the teacher. (The excuse was somewhat feeble or inadequate.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Feeble (adj): very weak; lacking strength or force.
    • The patient was too feeble to stand. (Extremely weak.)
  • Feebleness (n): the state of being weak or lacking strength.
    • The feebleness of the signal made communication difficult. (Weakness or lack of intensity.)
  • Feebly (adv): in a weak or faint manner.
    • He feebly waved his hand. (In a weak way.)
Synonyms
  • Weakish: somewhat weak.
  • Tenuous: very slight or flimsy.
  • Indistinct: not clear or sharply defined.
Related Idioms
  • Feeble-minded: (archaic) lacking intelligence or mental strength.
    • The character was often described as feeble-minded in old literature. (Lacking mental sharpness.)
  • Feeble effort: a weak or half-hearted attempt.
    • His feeble effort to finish the race was commendable but insufficient. (An attempt lacking vigor.)

Note: "Feeblish" is a rare or informal word, often used for mild emphasis. It does not commonly appear in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs.