decrepit

adjective

de·​crep·​it di-ˈkre-pət How to pronounce decrepit (audio)
1
: wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of old age
a decrepit old man
2
a
: impaired by use or wear : worn-out
a decrepit school bus
b
: fallen into ruin or disrepair
a decrepit industry
3
: dilapidated, run-down
an old, decrepit hotel
decrepitly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for decrepit

weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit mean not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort.

weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort.

felt weak after the surgery

feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt.

a feeble attempt to walk

frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure.

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage.

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or disabling illness.

infirm residents requiring constant care

decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age.

the dowager's decrepit retainers

Examples of decrepit in a Sentence

My decrepit car barely starts.
Recent Examples on the Web Once cramped and decrepit, the new 850,000-square-foot, four-story terminal is now bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern amenities, and eye-catching public art. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024 There lives Edward’s decrepit mother, Amelia (Anabela Moreira), and his lithe, long-haired twin brother, Manuel (also Cotta, sporting a cryptic smile). J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 The Spiderwick Chronicles follows a family of young children who move from New York to Michigan and into a decrepit abode that happens to be their family's ancestral home. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2023 For many Socialist and communist Jews, nationalism of any stripe was a monstrous and decrepit ideology. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 Number 231 was a decrepit mansion five stories high, with a looming tower. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 But the work was not completed, leaving him with a makeshift kitchen and a decrepit bathroom. Ronda Kaysen, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 Historically liberal Hong Kong was the happy creation of an unjust imperial British war against the decrepit Chinese empire over the rights of opium merchants. Doug Bandow, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024 But that isolation — from not only the surrounding community but also supportive services — combined with decrepit living conditions also breeds conflict. Ray Chavez, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decrepit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin decrepitus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decrepit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near decrepit

Cite this Entry

“Decrepit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrepit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decrepit

adjective
de·​crep·​it di-ˈkrep-ət How to pronounce decrepit (audio)
: broken down with age : worn-out

More from Merriam-Webster on decrepit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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