feeble voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'feeble voice' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a voice that is weak, quiet, or muffled. For example, "The old man spoke in a feeble voice, struggling to be heard over the noise in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In a feeble voice he'd say: "Are we in the airport".

The Guardian - Books

"Ideas go on, men don't go on," he said in a feeble voice.

The New York Times

But you only have to read this week's headlines about Algeria and Kurdish refugees to wonder whether a more assertive president might not add authority to Europe's feeble voice abroad.This is not to say that Mr Santer's commission will go down as a failure.

The Economist

"You okay?" "Are you kidding?" He says in a feeble voice, grinding sand between his teeth.

Huffington Post

Generally, on an album that was "sketchy at best", Marsh bemoaned the over-reliance on "merely competent" keyboards and Harrison's "affectingly feeble voice".

Wikipedia

We see and hear of their crimes on a daily basis and yet we as a country, as a nation and as a brethren of faith, have not raised more then a feeble voice to say "no" or "stop".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Our feeble voices, of solitary, moderate Muslims are precisely the sound of 'one hand clapping', to quote my mentor Dr. Joan Kirschenbaum Cohn.

Huffington Post

Though it does show a few "sensitive" soldiers questioning the moral premise of the disastrous Iraq imbroglio, these feeble voices are quickly dispatched like so many ghutra-clad jihadists.

Huffington Post

Later, in a feebler voice, trying to avoid the echo, I heard myself add, "I'm a journalist".

The New Yorker

Would you like a Coke while we wait for the police?" And, in my feeblest voice, I would have said, "Yes".

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, a second, feebler voice opines, "The dust and the screaming, the yuppies networking, the panic, the vomit, the panic, the vomit".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional or physical state, use "feeble voice" to effectively convey vulnerability, illness, or old age.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble voice" excessively in scenes that are already heavily laden with emotional cues. Subtle language often creates a more powerful impact than repetitive descriptors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble voice" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun (voice) to indicate a quality of weakness or lack of strength. Ludwig examples demonstrate this use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble voice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict weakness or a lack of strength in someone's voice. According to Ludwig, it serves primarily as a descriptive element, often evoking empathy or signaling vulnerability. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. While commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Wiki, it’s also present, though less frequently, in scientific contexts. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives like "weak voice", "faint voice", or "tremulous voice depending on the intended nuance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak voice

Replaces "feeble" with its direct synonym "weak", maintaining an identical meaning.

frail voice

Similar to "feeble", but emphasizes the delicate and fragile nature of the voice.

faint voice

Substitutes "feeble" with "faint", indicating a voice that is barely audible.

enfeebled voice

Uses a verb form of "feeble" to describe the voice, adding a slightly more formal tone.

subdued voice

Conveys a voice that is restrained and lacking in energy, like a feeble voice.

soft voice

Replaces "feeble" with "soft", suggesting a gentle and quiet tone.

low voice

Indicates a voice that is quiet in volume, similar to a feeble one.

hushed voice

Implies a very quiet voice, often due to weakness or secrecy.

tremulous voice

Changes "feeble" to "tremulous", highlighting the unsteady and shaky quality of the voice.

muffled voice

Suggests a voice that is not clear, possibly because it's weak or indistinct.

FAQs

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

You can use "feeble voice" to describe someone speaking quietly or weakly due to illness, age, or fear. For example, "In a "feeble voice", he whispered his last words".

What can I say instead of "feeble voice"?

Alternatives to "feeble voice" include "weak voice", "faint voice", or "tremulous voice depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is "feeble voice" a common expression?

Yes, "feeble voice" is a relatively common expression used to describe a voice lacking strength or volume. Ludwig provides numerous examples from reputable sources demonstrating its usage.

What does it mean to describe someone's voice as "feeble"?

Describing a voice as "feeble" suggests it is weak, lacking in power, and possibly unsteady, often indicating physical or emotional vulnerability.