What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Infirm vs Powerless - What's the difference?

infirm | powerless | Synonyms |

As adjectives the difference between infirm and powerless

is that infirm is weak or ill, not in good health while powerless is lacking sufficient power or strength.

As a verb infirm

is to contradict, to provide proof that something is not.

infirm

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Weak or ill, not in good health.
    • He was infirm of body but still keen of mind, and though it looked like he couldn't walk across the room, he crushed me in debate.
  • * Shakespeare
    • A poor, infirm , weak, and despised old man.
  • Irresolute; weak of mind or will.
  • * Burke
    • An infirm judgment.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Infirm of purpose!
  • Fail; unstable; insecure.
  • * South
    • He who fixes on false principles treads on infirm ground.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To contradict, to provide proof that something is not.
    • The thought is that you see an episode of observation, experiment, or reasoning as confirming or infirming a hypothesis depending on whether your probability for it increases or decreases during the episode.

    Antonyms

    * (l)

    powerless

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Lacking sufficient power or strength.
    • You are powerless to stop me
  • *
  • Lacking legal authority.
    • The traffic warden was powerless to stop me driving away.

    Derived terms

    * powerlessness * superpowerless

    Synonyms

    * strengthless * weak * vulnerable

    Antonyms

    * powerful * strong