slightly feeble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly feeble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is weak or lacking in strength or effectiveness, but only to a small degree. Example: "The argument presented was slightly feeble, lacking the necessary evidence to be convincing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

14 min: Russia are turning the screw now with Shirokov their screwdriver and Greece a slightly feeble piece of MDF.

The Guardian - Sport

There is some soft focus on the only humane character – a sweetly intentioned, not to say slightly feeble PA – who is finely sung by Cassandra Compton.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the spacecraft passed within 1200 kilometers of Mathilde, the asteroid's feeble gravity slightly deflected NEAR's path.

Science Magazine

"Lightly feeble," advised a slightly more positive Robbie Collin in the Telegraph.

The Guardian - Film

Commence: Last year brought widespread acceptance of the "selfie stick" – a stick you clamp your smartphone into so you can take a narcissistic self-portrait at a slightly greater distance than your feeble human arms will allow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because gravity slightly bends light rays, the feeble images of distant galaxies are ever so slightly distorted by intervening clouds of dark matter--an effect known as weak lensing (ScienceNOW, 16 March 2000).

Science Magazine

It's slightly left of centre... 90+3 min: Thierry Henry shoots a feeble effort straight into the wall.

The Guardian - Sport

Euro-zone purchasing managers indexes showed that private sector companies expanded at a slightly slower pace in June, but beneath the main figures there was feeble demand for goods and services from consumers in Germany, which has the bloc's biggest economy.

The New York Times

Most polls give Mr Kerry a slightly larger 2-to-1 lead.Both parties have focused a lot on voters under 30, whose turnout is usually feeble.

The Economist

Feeble joke, but funny.' He says the Blackadder set was often stressful, with a number of people slightly unhappy about what was going on and who was saying what and to whom.

The Guardian - Film

Feeble labeling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly feeble" to subtly downplay the strength or effectiveness of something, avoiding stronger terms like "weak" or "ineffective" when a nuanced description is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly feeble" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound less authoritative. Opt for more direct and impactful language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly feeble" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun's quality with a nuance of reduced intensity. It indicates a state of being weak or ineffective to a minor degree. Ludwig AI validates this construction as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly feeble" is used to describe something that is weakly or ineffectively in a subtle way. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid. Analysis shows it functions as an adjectival modifier with a neutral register. While "slightly feeble" may be appropriate in contexts requiring a degree of understatement, alternatives like "somewhat weak" or "mildly ineffective" may be suitable for higher formality. Though infrequent, its presence in news and scientific media shows broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly inadequate

Directly replaces "feeble" with "inadequate", maintaining the mild qualifier.

Somewhat weak

Indicates a degree of weakness that is less intense than "feeble" alone.

A bit frail

Suggests a delicate or fragile quality, similar to feebleness, but to a lesser extent.

Somewhat frail

Replaces "weak" with "frail", and the meaning refers to not having great physical strength or health.

Mildly ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness rather than strength, but at a low level.

A tad weak

Uses a more informal expression, with an effect of weakening.

Barely adequate

Implies that something just meets the minimum requirement, suggesting a slight deficiency.

Rather flimsy

Conveys a lack of solidity or substance, similar to weakness.

Marginally deficient

Highlights a slight shortfall or inadequacy.

Faintly inadequate

Suggests a subtle level of inadequacy or weakness.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly feeble" to describe something that is mildly weak or ineffective. For example, "The argument was "slightly feeble", lacking strong evidence."

What are some alternatives to "slightly feeble"?

Alternatives include "somewhat weak", "a bit frail", or "mildly ineffective", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "slightly feeble" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to convey a mild degree of weakness or ineffectiveness without being overly critical. It suits contexts where subtlety is preferred.

Is "slightly feeble" considered formal or informal language?

"Slightly feeble" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. For highly formal contexts, consider stronger or more precise vocabulary to ensure clarity and impact.