feebleness
/ˈfiːblnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfiːblnəs/ (ame, ipa)
feebleness — noun
1. the condition of having very little physical strength, often because of illness,
the condition of having very little physical strength, often because of illness, injury, or old age.
Grandpa Liam's feebleness after the long hospital stay shocked the whole family.
noun describing physical decline after illness
The doctor noted the feebleness of Mira's grip when she tried to hold the cup.
the feebleness of + body part / specific action
Years of poor nutrition had left a clear feebleness in the old donkey's legs.
Despite her feebleness, Sade insisted on walking from her bed to the garden alone.
After the flu, Hari noticed a strange feebleness whenever he climbed the stairs.
- strength
the standard opposite for physical force
- robustness
implies sturdy, lasting good health
文法句型
the feebleness of [body part/person]
用法筆記
Uncountable and formal — everyday speech usually prefers 'weakness'. Often modified by 'physical', 'general', or paired with body parts ('feebleness of the legs').
常見錯誤
2. the quality of being weak in effect, argument, or effort — failing to convince,
the quality of being weak in effect, argument, or effort — failing to convince, work properly, or have real impact.
Critics pointed to the feebleness of the company's apology after the data leak.
the feebleness of + abstract noun (apology, response)
The feebleness of Kevin's excuse made the teacher laugh out loud.
describes a weak, unconvincing argument or excuse
Voters were frustrated by the feebleness of the government's response to the floods.
The report exposed the feebleness of the safety checks at the old factory.
There was a real feebleness in Yasmin's effort during the second half of the match.
- ineffectiveness
neutral, business-style synonym for not working
- weakness
broader and far more common; less formal
- flimsiness
stresses that an argument or excuse falls apart easily
- force
of arguments: persuasive power
- effectiveness
the standard opposite for actions and policies
文法句型
the feebleness of [argument/effort/attempt]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense applies to actions, arguments, and efforts rather than the body. Subject is typically an abstract noun (apology, argument, response, effort).