Feebly: meaning, definitions and examples

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feebly

[ˈfiːbli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a weak or ineffective manner

Feebly means in a weak or ineffective manner. It is used to describe actions or behaviors that lack strength, vigor, or impact. When something is done feebly, it is done with little force or energy.

Synonyms

ineffectively, timidly, weakly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
feebly	Used to describe an action done with very little strength or energy. It often implies physical weakness. The old man walked feebly across the room. She smiled feebly, too tired to express herself fully.
weakly	Used to describe an action done without physical strength, sometimes implying a temporary condition or illness. After the surgery, he could only speak weakly. She protested weakly, lacking the energy to argue further.
ineffectively	Used to describe an action that fails to produce the desired result or is done in a way that is not efficient or successful. He tried to repair the car, but his efforts were ineffective. The team worked ineffectively, leading to a missed deadline.
timidly	Used to describe an action done with a lack of confidence, often because someone is shy or afraid. She asked her question timidly, afraid of being judged. The child spoke timidly to the teacher, unsure of himself.

Examples of usage

She tried to lift the heavy box, but only managed to do so feebly.
The old man feebly attempted to open the jar, but his hands were too weak.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

lacking physical strength or vigor

Feebly as an adjective means lacking physical strength or vigor. It is used to describe a person or thing that is weak, frail, or lacking in vitality. When something is described as feeble, it is often not capable of exerting much power or force.

Synonyms

frail, infirm, weak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
feebly	This adverb describes doing something in a weak or inadequate way, often due to a lack of strength or energy. He lifted his hand feebly to wave goodbye The old dog barked feebly at the strangers
weak	This adjective can describe someone or something lacking physical strength, power, or energy. It is a more general term than the others and can be used in various contexts, such as emotional or physical states. After the illness, he felt very weak and tired The team's defense was weak, leading to their defeat
frail	This adjective is used to describe something or someone that is very weak, delicate, or easily broken. It is often used to talk about elderly people or objects. The frail old woman needed assistance to walk Be careful with that frail vase; it might break
infirm	This adjective describes someone who is weak or ill, typically from old age or long-term illness. It often implies a very serious and enduring state of weakness. The infirm man struggled to get out of bed each day She volunteered at a nursing home to help care for the infirm

Examples of usage

The feeble old dog struggled to climb the stairs.
His feeble attempts to lift weights were unsuccessful.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'feeble', which means lacking strength.
In earlier uses, 'feeble' described not just physical weakness but also mental and emotional frailty.
The suffix 'ly' added to adjectives transforms them into adverbs, telling us how an action is done.

Literature

It often appears in literature to convey vulnerability or lack of power, enriching characters’ emotions.
Famous authors like Charles Dickens employed the term to reflect the weak state of certain characters in his novels.
Poetic uses of the word add depth, often contrasting strength and frailty in human experiences.

Psychology

Describing actions as done 'feebly' can indicate low self-esteem or lack of motivation.
Individuals perceived as acting feebly may struggle with confidence in social situations.
Research shows that language influences our perception of strength and confidence in both ourselves and others.

Pop Culture

The word frequently appears in animations and children's shows to humorously depict struggles, like an ineffectual superhero.
Lyrics in songs sometimes use the term to reflect feelings of defeat or disappointment in a relationship.
It has been used in memes to depict moments of failure or embarrassment humorously.

Common Uses

'Feebly' is often used in everyday conversations to describe how someone is attempting something without much effort.
It's commonly used in a negative context to emphasize ineffective attempts, such as 'He feebly tried to lift the box.'
In sports commentary, athletes might be described as performing feebly if they are not playing up to their potential.

Translations

Translations of the word "feebly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fracamente

🇮🇳 कमजोरी से

🇩🇪 schwach

🇮🇩 lemah

🇺🇦 слабо

🇵🇱 słabo

🇯🇵 弱く

🇫🇷 faiblement

🇪🇸 débilmente

🇹🇷 zayıf bir şekilde

🇰🇷 약하게

🇸🇦 بضعف

🇨🇿 slabě

🇸🇰 slabo

🇨🇳 虚弱地

🇸🇮 šibko

🇮🇸 veikburða

🇰🇿 әлсіз

🇬🇪 სუსტად

🇦🇿 zəifliklə

🇲🇽 débilmente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,156, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15153 shrunk
15154 guild
15155 quantification
15156 feebly
15157 anaesthesia
15158 slick
15159 patio
...