feeble people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'feeble people' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is physically weak, frail, not very strong, or very ill. For example: "The elderly woman was so feeble that she could barely walk without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The deliverer, even in the fleeting encounter, can check that feeble people with scant contact with the outside bustle of the city are all right.

The New York Times

You can say, look at me, I am not one of those weak-willed, lazy or feeble people who don't work out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, she was a kind of personal trainer who "took on weak and feeble people, whose bodies had been ruined through overindulgence, and she made them strong and vigorous again through gymnastic exercises and steam baths", according to a summary by the Byzantine anthologist, John of Stobi.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The nether-regions of "nine feeble old people" are not a turn-on for young people.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Sanger did suggest preventing "feeble-minded" people from having children, but there is no evidence that she supported sterilization on the basis of race).

The New Yorker

This stuff just feeds all the feeble-minded people out here who look for somebody to blame for their ills". Last week, South Carolina Gov. David M. Beasley (R) visited three churches and a mosque that had been torched to announce formation of a $50,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in any of the state's unsolved church arsons.

The Washington Post

She began thinking about how do we limit the populations of feeble-minded people, minority people.

Huffington Post

Well, there's some feeble physical theatre (people turning imaginary keys in invisible doors) which sits ill with the sumptuous crinolines that are forever tipping up like lampshades.

The Guardian

The Grands discovered that in 2008, when the Scorpions came here on tour, they played to a feeble audience; most people skipped the gig, thinking it was a cover band, sure that the real Scorpions would absolutely never come to Lipetsk.

The Guardian

Fifty years ago, health professionals would have institutionalized and likely sterilized her in a misguided attempt to prevent her from passing on her "feeble-mindedness". Today, people with intellectual disabilities live in the community and well into adulthood, but as Amelia shows us, they are still not treated like everyone else.

HuffPost

And when we stereotype old people as feeble we obliterate the fact that many are angry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing vulnerable populations, use "feeble people" to respectfully acknowledge their physical or mental frailty, particularly in contexts where their vulnerability impacts their access to resources or services.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble people" as a blanket term for entire groups (e.g., "the elderly"). Frailty varies greatly among individuals, and generalizing can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Instead, specify the context in which someone exhibits physical or mental weakness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble people" functions as a noun phrase, where "feeble" modifies the noun "people". It's used to describe a group of individuals characterized by their weakness, frailty, or lack of strength as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble people" is used to describe individuals characterized by weakness or frailty, often in a physical sense. While grammatically correct and appearing in reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its frequency is rare. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase functions as a noun phrase and is primarily used for describing and categorizing. The term's neutrality leans towards formal contexts, but caution is advised against using it in a way that could be perceived as pejorative. Consider alternatives like "vulnerable people" or "frail people" to avoid potential misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile people

Emphasizes the delicateness and vulnerability of individuals, highlighting their susceptibility to harm.

frail people

Focuses on the physical weakness and delicate health of individuals, often associated with old age.

vulnerable people

Highlights the susceptibility of individuals to physical or emotional harm, emphasizing their need for protection.

weak people

Directly indicates a lack of physical or mental strength in individuals.

infirm people

Focuses on the chronic weakness or illness affecting individuals, often associated with old age or disability.

debilitated people

Emphasizes the weakened and impaired condition of individuals, often due to illness or injury.

invalid people

Focuses on the state of being chronically ill or disabled, rendering individuals unable to care for themselves.

unhealthy people

Indicates a general state of poor health and well-being in individuals.

delicate people

Highlights the sensitivity and fragility of individuals, both physically and emotionally.

ailing people

Suggests that individuals are suffering from an illness or health problem.

FAQs

What does "feeble people" mean?

"Feeble people" refers to individuals who are physically weak, frail, or lacking in strength. The term can also imply a lack of mental or moral strength depending on the context.

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

You can use "feeble people" in a sentence to describe someone's physical condition, such as: "The deliverer, even in the fleeting encounter, can check that "feeble people" with scant contact with the outside bustle of the city are all right."

What are some alternatives to "feeble people"?

Some alternatives to "feeble people" include "frail people", "vulnerable people", or "weak people". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use the term "feeble people"?

The appropriateness of using "feeble people" depends on the context and your intent. While it accurately describes physical weakness, consider whether a more empathetic or specific term like "people with disabilities" or "elderly individuals" would be more suitable.