feebly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feebly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something done in a weak or ineffective manner. Example: "He feebly attempted to lift the heavy box, but it was clear he needed help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At some point during the Romney Fourth of July festivities at one of their Downton Abbeys, which included feebly trying to define his penal-tax problem, and jet-skiing fully clothed, Mitt and Ann Romney found some time to give yet another out-of-touchy-feely interview – this time, out of the Fox hole and with CBS news.

The Guardian - Opinion

To think all this time we'd seen him as the withered conjoined twin in the coalition, feebly letting his ideology blow away in the wind for the slightest lick of power.

The Guardian

Europe capitulated feebly, risibly, pathetically: they lost the opening six singles matches of the day 3&2, 4&2, 4&3, 6&5, 3&2 and 5&4.

The Guardian - Sport

He was in a group with Fehrnstrom Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.20pm BST23 20 A former Obama aide, Neera Tanden, is feebly attempting to explain a statement she made criticizing her former boss.

The Guardian

I miss us," he twittered, pecking feebly at the empty box of Trill he'd been using to store the remains of his masculinity.

The Guardian

Here's an aspirin Challenged, feebly Talking or fighting?

The Economist

It feebly advised users to change their passwords.The security breach is terrible news.

The Economist

And before long they will be knocking feebly on the doors of old-people's homes.

The Economist

If Binyamin Netanyahu ends up as prime minister (see article), Israel's voters will have elected a man who, on paper at least, is unwilling to let the Palestinians have anything more in the way of a state than a hollowed-out Swiss cheese of feebly linked cantons.

The Economist

The Panhandle used to be the swingiest bit of this swing state.At least, it seemed that way until 2002, when Bill McBride, a moderate Democrat, won the Panhandle and yet feebly lost the governorship to Jeb Bush.

The Economist

However, when Argentina ignores it, the fund merely wrings its hands, laments the "absence of progress"—and feebly sets a new deadline.In 2010 we added a precautionary footnote to our statistical tables.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feebly", consider whether a more precise adverb might better convey the specific nuance of weakness or ineffectiveness you intend to express. For instance, "weakly" might be more appropriate for physical weakness, while "ineffectively" might be better for a failed attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "feebly" when describing situations that require a more nuanced understanding of failure. While "feebly" indicates a lack of strength or effectiveness, it doesn't capture the complexity of failures due to strategic errors or unforeseen circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "feebly" primarily functions to modify verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the action is carried out in a weak, ineffective, or inadequate way. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying verbs such as 'trying', 'capitulated', 'attempting', 'advised', and more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "feebly" is a grammatically correct and widely used term for describing actions performed with weakness or ineffectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, with examples spanning from news articles to encyclopedic entries. It commonly appears in news and business contexts, adding a layer of critique or description by highlighting the inadequacy of an action. While alternatives like "weakly" or "ineffectively" exist, "feebly" provides a distinct nuance indicating a lack of force or success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakly

Direct synonym replacing "feebly" with a more common term for lacking strength.

in a weak manner

Expands the single word into a phrase, emphasizing the lack of strength.

ineffectively

Focuses on the lack of desired outcome or result, similar to doing something "feebly".

without strength

Directly describes the absence of power or force in the action.

poorly

Suggests a substandard or inadequate manner of performing an action, akin to doing it "feebly".

with little force

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase emphasizing the reduced power of an action.

faintly

Emphasizes a lack of intensity or force, similar to a "feeble" attempt.

languidly

Highlights a lack of energy or enthusiasm in the action, reflecting a "feeble" effort.

halfheartedly

Emphasizes the lack of commitment or enthusiasm behind the action, suggesting a "feeble" attempt.

unconvincingly

Highlights a lack of persuasive power or effectiveness, suggesting a "feeble" argument or attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "feebly" in a sentence?

You can use "feebly" to describe an action done weakly or ineffectively. For example, "He "feebly" tried to lift the heavy box."

What are some alternatives to "feebly"?

Some alternatives to "feebly" include "weakly", "ineffectively", or "faintly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "feebly attempt"?

Yes, it is correct to say "feebly attempt". It means to try something in a weak or ineffective manner. For instance: "He "feebly" attempted to defend his position."

What's the difference between "feebly" and "weakly"?

"Feebly" and "weakly" are often interchangeable, but "feebly" can sometimes imply a greater degree of ineffectiveness or inadequacy than "weakly". "Weakly" is more direct in describing the physical condition, but "feebly" can express ineffectiveness.