feeble desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a weak or lacking motivation or wish for something. Example: "Despite his feeble desire to travel, he never made any plans to leave his hometown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the Labour party, a limp and lifeless thing expressing nothing but a feeble desire to not be spued, has found a way around this: to be hot and cold at once.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Some banal administrator makes a decision on the basis of his own needs and feeble desires.

The New York Times - Arts

The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom, and those who restrain their desires do so because their desires are feeble enough to be restrained.

The Guardian - Opinion

The response of Nato to the crisis in Ukraine has been feeble: there is no desire on the part of the US to go to war with Russia over a country that is not even a Nato member.

The Guardian

Few Glaswegians doubt that the Tories replaced the sympathetic Scottish Development Agency with a feebler Glasgow Development Agency out of a desire to divert resources to less needy but politically more amenable parts of Scotland.

The Economist

Feeble labeling.

The New York Times

How feeble!

The Guardian - Opinion

Feeble stuff.

The Guardian - Business

Too feeble.

The Guardian - Business

But enforcement is feeble.

The Economist

The currency remains feeble.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeble desire" to subtly convey a lack of motivation or enthusiasm, suitable when understatement is key.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble desire" when the intention is strong but faces external obstacles; instead, focus on the challenges rather than the strength of the wish.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble desire" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "feeble" modifies "desire", indicating a weak or lacking motivation. As Ludwig AI displays, the phrase is usable and comprehensible in context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeble desire" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a weak or lacking motivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid expression, although its frequency is rare, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. For alternative expressions, consider "weak longing" or "faint wish". When using this expression, ensure that the context appropriately reflects a genuine lack of enthusiasm or intent, and avoid using it when the desire is strong but faces external impediments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble inclination

Combines "feeble" with "inclination", focusing on the lack of power behind the preference.

weak longing

Replaces "desire" with "longing", suggesting a sentimental or wistful aspect of the wish, indicating a less assertive feeling.

faint wish

Substitutes "desire" with "wish", emphasizing the tentative and uncertain nature of the feeling.

faint yearning

Replaces "desire" with "yearning", which implies a deep but quiet and subdued longing.

muted want

Replaces "desire" with "want" to express a need, while "muted" underscores its understated nature.

slight inclination

Replaces both words to convey a mild preference or tendency towards something, diminishing the emotional intensity.

subdued craving

Uses "craving" to indicate a strong wish, but "subdued" suggests it is being suppressed or controlled.

mild aspiration

Uses "aspiration" to suggest a goal-oriented but gentle ambition, softening the immediate need implied by "desire".

tenuous urge

Emphasizes the fragile and easily overcome nature of the impulse, presenting it as something easily dismissed.

weak appetite

Employs "appetite" to suggest a lack of enthusiasm or hunger for something, particularly in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "feeble desire" in a sentence?

You can use "feeble desire" to describe a weak or lacking motivation. For example: "Despite his feeble desire to travel, he never made any plans to leave his hometown."

What are some alternatives to "feeble desire"?

Alternatives include "weak longing", "faint wish", or "slight inclination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feeble desire" formal or informal?

"Feeble desire" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in written or slightly elevated language.

How does "feeble desire" differ from "strong desire"?

"Feeble desire" indicates a weak or lacking motivation, while "strong desire" implies a powerful and compelling wish or longing.