feebly
gb/fˈibli/ us/fˈibli/
B2
English
~ 27900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in a weak, low-energy way
In a weak way, with almost no strength or energy, often because someone is sick or very tired.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] feebly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "feebly" with "weekly" because they sound similar, but "weekly" means something that happens every week. Learners may also choose only "weakly"; in many physical contexts "weakly" and "feebly" are interchangeable, but "feebly" often sounds a bit more emotional or descriptive in stories.
Synonyms
weakly (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and a bit more neutral in tone.)
|
faintly (Often suggests low strength of sound or light, while "feebly" more directly suggests a lack of physical power.)
Antonyms
strongly (Describes doing something with a lot of strength, the opposite of the low strength in "feebly".)
|
firmly (Emphasizes solid, steady physical force, contrasting with the lack of force in "feebly".)
Collocations
walk feebly
|breathe feebly
|knock feebly
|cry feebly
|push feebly
|move feebly
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After the operation, she could only squeeze my hand feebly.
- The injured man called out feebly for help.
- He knocked feebly on the door, too exhausted to make much noise.
- The old dog wagged its tail feebly when it saw its owner.
- She sat up feebly in bed and tried to drink some water.
Learner examples
- The sick child cried feebly.
- He walked feebly across the room.
- She knocked feebly on the door.
- The old man waved his hand feebly.
- The baby bird cheeped feebly in the nest.
adverb
C1
property
2
with little confidence or effect
In a weak and not very sure way, without strong words, feelings, or effect.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] feebly
Common mistake:
Learners often use only "weakly" or "poorly" in these emotional or argumentative contexts (for example, "He argued weakly"). "Feebly" adds a sense of emotional softness or lack of real power, common in written narratives. It is not used to describe low skill or quality in general work; for that, "poorly" or "badly" is more natural (e.g., "He wrote the report poorly," not "feebly").
Synonyms
halfheartedly (Stresses a lack of enthusiasm or real desire, while "feebly" can also suggest that the argument or action itself is not strong.)
|
unconvincingly (Focuses on failing to persuade the listener; "feebly" can imply both low confidence and low persuasive power.)
Antonyms
forcefully (Describes speaking or acting with strong energy and conviction, the opposite of "feebly" in this sense.)
|
firmly (Suggests clear, strong confidence and resolve, contrasting with the hesitant feeling of "feebly".)
Collocations
protest feebly
|argue feebly
|deny feebly
|smile feebly
|laugh feebly
|apologize feebly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He protested feebly, but everyone could tell he had already given up.
- She smiled feebly, trying to hide how disappointed she really felt.
- The government feebly denied the accusations, convincing almost no one.
- He laughed feebly at the joke, more out of politeness than real amusement.
- They made a few feebly worded complaints and then accepted the decision.
Learner examples
- He protested feebly, and no one listened.
- She smiled feebly when she heard the bad news.
- The boy feebly said it was not his fault.
- They argued feebly and then stopped talking.
- He laughed feebly, but he did not think it was funny.
Grammar
Dictionary form
feebly
IPA
GB/fˈibli/
US/fˈibli/
Syllables & stress
feebly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (feebly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: feebly
- Plural: feeblies
Word family
Forms
feeblies
noun
Core family
feeble
adjective B1
feebleness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.