lame

[leym] / leɪm /

ADJECTIVE

unable to walk properly; injured

Synonyms

STRONG

bruised disabled game halt hobbling impaired injured limping pained sore stiff

WEAK

gimpy

Antonyms

WEAK

agile mobile

ADJECTIVE

weak; inadequate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

feeble flimsy ineffective weak

STRONG

faltering poor thin

WEAK

faulty flabby inadequate inefficient insufficient unconvincing unpersuasive unpleasing unsatisfactory unsuitable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

convincing

STRONG

effective persuasive strong

WEAK

satisfactory

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He’s also a lame duck and getting lamer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Determining the points at which past Fed chairs became lame ducks is not an exact science, needless to say.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

Saying the house is like a character too sounds a bit lame.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Are these the actions of a lame duck, or of a leader who continues to wield great power?

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

The string bag, soaked through, sagged and looked really pretty lame as powerful gifts went.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda