frailer
Less physically robust
Frailer is the comparative form of frail, meaning more delicate, weak, or fragile than something else.
A person recovering from illness may be frailer than before.
She seemed frailer each time I visited.
The word applies to physical weakness, structural delicacy, or moral vulnerability.
Prone to poor health
- ailingIn poor health
- debilitatedMade weak or infirm
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
- feebleWeak and ineffective
bedridden · invalid · decrepit · unwell · diseased · pallid · wan · weakened
Capable of shattering
- shatterableAble to fragment
- crumblyProne to fragmenting
- frangibleCapable of being broken
- crackableAble to be broken
ceramic · porcelain · glassy · crisp · chipped · tempered · eggshell · spindly
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
threatened · precarious · helpless · imperiled · assailable · at-risk · insecure · unshielded
Filmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- gauzyThin and transparent
translucent · lacy · featherlight · sheer · finespun · filigree · dainty · airy
Gradual functional decline with age
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- geriatricRelating to elderly care
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- nonagenarianPerson aged ninety-plus
centenarian · pensioner · retirement · gerontology · graying · wrinkles · seniority · declining
sickly
Prone to poor health
- ailingIn poor health
- debilitatedMade weak or infirm
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
feeble · bedridden · invalid · decrepit · unwell · diseased · pallid · wan · weakened · wasted
breakable
Capable of shattering
- shatterableAble to fragment
- crumblyProne to fragmenting
- frangibleCapable of being broken
crackable · ceramic · porcelain · glassy · crisp · chipped · tempered · eggshell · spindly · rickety
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
endangered · threatened · precarious · helpless · imperiled · assailable · at-risk · insecure · unshielded · open
gossamer
Filmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
gauzy · translucent · lacy · featherlight · sheer · finespun · filigree · dainty · airy · fine
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- geriatricRelating to elderly care
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
nonagenarian · centenarian · pensioner · retirement · gerontology · graying · wrinkles · seniority · declining · deteriorating
- human frailtySusceptibility of mortal beings
- old and frail