less feeble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less feeble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is stronger or more effective than something that is feeble. Example: "The new policy is less feeble than the previous one, providing more support for those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I wish there was some less feeble response to this constant, exhausting, draining surveillance we live under.

Independent

If Britain's recent GDP figures are revised up (as they often are eventually) then productivity will look less anomalous and the recovery less feeble.

The Economist

In the next five years America imposed 85 new sanctions on foreign states.Sanctions may feel better than nothing: they are less feeble than scolding an ambassador and less bloody than sending in the marines.

The Economist

Sadly no unless, that is, countries can actually decide, by accepting the loss of certain of their own rights and privileges, to make it a less feeble and dysfunctional body.People take jobs for odd reasons.

The Economist

(This conspiracy theory ignores the fact that the few American politicians who have opinions about the EU, on right or left, invariably support integration to make Europe less feeble).On the other side, the question, "what part of 'no' does the EU not understand?" has been in heavy use among Eurosceptics.

The Economist

The mandate of the AU force has been extended until the end of the year and the Security Council is now trying to find ways to make it less feeble.But pressure on Sudan is rising.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If the history of the earth's tides should one day be written by some observer of the universe, he would no doubt say that they reached the peak of their grandeur and power in the younger days of Earth and that they slowly grew feebler and less imposing, until one day they ceased to be.

The New Yorker

Four institutions accepted feeble-minded (mostly less aged) elderly people.

BMC Geriatrics

Allofs, to be fair, did concede that there was a "vast difference in quality" between a less than convincing Bayern and his feeble side.

The Guardian - Sport

Some analysts said the feeble market response had less to do with worries about the A3XX or with the company itself than with concerns about a cyclical downturn in the civilian aircraft industry.

The New York Times

He has promised to overhaul the country's feeble electric system, which produces less power than the output of a midsize American city.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less feeble" when you want to indicate a marginal improvement in strength or effectiveness, suggesting that something is still somewhat weak but not as much as before.

Common error

Avoid using "less feeble" to describe something that has become genuinely strong or robust. The phrase implies that weakness is still present, just to a lesser extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less feeble" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that something possesses a reduced degree of feebleness, suggesting improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less feeble" is a grammatically sound and valid comparative adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that something is not as weak as before, suggesting an improvement in strength or effectiveness. While not extremely common, it appears in a variety of sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, and it is suitable for neutral to formal writing contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context truly implies a partial improvement rather than complete resolution of weakness. Several alternative phrases, such as "somewhat stronger" or "slightly more robust", can be used for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as weak

Uses a negative construction to express the same idea.

somewhat stronger

Indicates a slight increase in strength compared to "less feeble".

slightly more robust

Replaces "feeble" with "robust" to convey increased resilience.

slightly improved

Focuses on the improvement in quality or performance rather than direct strength.

a bit more effective

Focuses on the effectiveness of something rather than its strength.

somewhat lessened

Highlights the reduction in feebleness rather than an increase in strength.

marginally more vigorous

Replaces "feeble" with "vigorous" to imply energy and force.

not quite so fragile

Suggests reduced fragility as opposed to amplified strength.

somewhat more powerful

Emphasizes an increase in power or influence.

fainter

Implies a reduced level of intensity or strength, focusing on the diminishing aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "less feeble" to describe something that has improved in strength or effectiveness, but is still not entirely strong. For example, "The new policy is "less feeble" than the previous one, providing more support."

What are some alternatives to saying "less feeble"?

Some alternatives to "less feeble" include "somewhat stronger", "slightly more robust", or "a bit more effective", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "less feeble" in formal writing?

Yes, "less feeble" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, although alternatives like "more robust" might be preferred for a stronger impact.

What does "less feeble" imply about the subject being described?

"Less feeble" implies that the subject still possesses some degree of weakness, but not as much as before. It suggests a partial improvement rather than complete strength or effectiveness.