feeble argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an argument that is weak, unconvincing, or lacking in strength or validity. Example: "His claim that the project would succeed without proper funding was a feeble argument that failed to convince the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That is a feeble argument.

The Guardian - Business

The feeble argument of culling and control is much the same as for foxes: a veil for naughty fun".

The Guardian

He was so obviously daring me to disagree that I did, and tried to put up a feeble argument that Tony Blair was really quite left wing.

Independent

He opposes giving freed slaves the vote and supports the Republican abandonment of Reconstruction in 1876 with the feeble argument that "the voting business in the South will regulate itself". After his governorship, as president of Bowdoin he institutes a military drill requirement and suspends students who refuse to take part; this leads to outright rebellion.

The New York Times - Books

Its best arguments, as it welcomed its triumph, concerned confidentiality (although why employee directors should be more inclined to breach it than other directors isn't clear) and a claim that international companies would struggle to ensure representation, a feeble argument when shareholders can, and often do, hide in opaque ownership structures.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only feeble argument is that everyone will lose his or her homes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And therefore we are often constrained to stand alone against the strength of opinion, and to meet the Goliah and Giant of Authority, with contemptible pibbles, and feeble arguments, drawn from the scrip and slender stock of our selves.

University of Chicago

To not even bother to laugh at the feeble Twitter arguments of those convincing themselves that they weren't fooled.

TechCrunch

If you have the stomach for this sort of theological disputation, there are worse ways to spend eighty minutes than to watch and listen: The most striking aspect of this debate is how extraordinarily feeble Ms. Ross's arguments sound.

The New Yorker

The opposition, which a year ago included the then-Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, and was strong enough to block a somewhat weaker proposal, has diminished to a point where it is almost as feeble as the arguments it tries to muster.

The New Yorker

He makes the preposterously feeble and easily refuted argument that he can somehow render more important "service" by clocking another two or six years in Albany and then doing something else, some unspecified something, than he could by spending the remaining decades of his life on the Supreme Court of the United States, that semi-sovereign institution of almost godlike power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "feeble argument" with specific examples to illustrate why the argument is weak, making your critique more persuasive.

Common error

While "feeble argument" is appropriate for formal settings, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "weak point" or "poor reasoning" might be more suitable and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble argument" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "feeble" modifies the noun "argument". It describes the quality of the argument, indicating its lack of strength or persuasiveness. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in criticizing or dismissing weak claims.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Opinion

20%

Less common in

Books

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble argument" is an adjective-noun phrase used to describe a weak, unconvincing, or poorly supported argument. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and primarily employed in neutral to formal contexts, especially in news, media, and academic writing. While alternatives such as "weak argument" or "flimsy argument" exist, "feeble argument" carries a slightly stronger connotation of lacking substance. When employing this phrase, ensure its use aligns with the formality of the setting and provides specific examples to bolster your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak argument

Replaces "feeble" with a more common synonym, indicating a lack of strength in the argument.

poor argument

Substitutes "feeble" with "poor", suggesting a low quality or inadequate argument.

flimsy argument

Uses "flimsy" to describe the argument as insubstantial and easily refuted.

tenuous argument

Replaces "feeble" with "tenuous", implying that the argument is fragile and not well-supported.

unconvincing argument

Focuses on the argument's inability to persuade, rather than its inherent weakness.

implausible argument

Highlights the argument's lack of credibility or believability.

unsound argument

Suggests the argument has logical flaws or is based on faulty reasoning.

baseless argument

Emphasizes that the argument lacks a solid foundation or factual support.

threadbare argument

Uses "threadbare" to suggest the argument is worn out, overused, and unoriginal.

hollow argument

Highlights the argument's lack of substance or genuine conviction.

FAQs

What does "feeble argument" mean?

A "feeble argument" is an argument that is weak, unconvincing, and lacking in strength or logical support. It suggests that the point being made is easily refuted or dismissed.

What can I say instead of "feeble argument"?

You can use alternatives like "weak argument", "poor argument", or "flimsy argument" depending on the context.

How to use "feeble argument" in a sentence?

Example: "His claim that the project would succeed without proper funding was a feeble argument that failed to convince the board."

What is the difference between "feeble argument" and "strong argument"?

While a "feeble argument" lacks strength and is easily refuted, a "strong argument" is well-supported by evidence, logically sound, and persuasive.