frail

This word carries a heavy sense of vulnerability and impending collapse. When applied to people, it suggests a loss of strength usually associated with old age or prolonged illness, evoking a feeling of pity or tenderness rather than simple physical weakness.

Unlike "weak," which can be temporary or situational (like a weak grip), "frail" implies a systemic or inherent delicacy. It describes a state where the subject is so fragile that even a small amount of pressure or stress could cause permanent damage or failure.

In a material context, it describes objects that are poorly made or worn down to the point of instability. There is an inherent quality of precariousness; a frail object doesn't just look thin, it looks as though it is on the verge of breaking.