Definitions
- Referring to a state of physical weakness or feebleness. - Describing a condition of being unable to perform physical tasks due to illness or injury. - Talking about a general lack of strength or vitality.
- Referring to a state of physical or mental weakness or fragility. - Describing a condition of being vulnerable to illness or injury. - Talking about a general decline in health or ability due to aging or chronic illness.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a state of physical or mental weakness.
- 2Both words can refer to a condition resulting from illness, injury, or aging.
- 3Both words suggest a lack of strength or vitality.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Debility is more focused on physical weakness, while infirmity can also refer to mental weakness or fragility.
- 2Cause: Debility is often caused by illness or injury, while infirmity can also be a result of aging or chronic conditions.
- 3Severity: Infirmity suggests a more severe or long-term condition than debility.
- 4Connotation: Debility is a more neutral term, while infirmity can have negative connotations of frailty or vulnerability.
- 5Usage: Debility is less common in everyday language than infirmity.
Remember this!
Debility and infirmity are synonyms that both describe a state of physical or mental weakness. However, debility is more focused on physical weakness resulting from illness or injury, while infirmity can also refer to mental weakness or fragility and may be caused by aging or chronic conditions. Infirmity suggests a more severe or long-term condition than debility, and it is more commonly used in everyday language.