brittle

¹brit·tle

adj \ˈbri-t^əl\

brit·tler\ˈbrit-lər, ˈbri-t^əl-ər\brit·tlest\-ləst, -t^əl-əst\

Definition of BRITTLE

1

a : easily broken, cracked, or snapped <brittle clay> <brittle glass> b : easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged : frail <a brittle friendship>

2

a : perishable, mortal b : transitory, evanescent

3

: easily hurt or offended : sensitive <a brittle personality>

4

: sharp <the brittle staccato of snare drums>

5

: lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit : cold <a brittle selfish person>

6

: affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level

— brit·tle·ly \ˈbri-t^əl-(l)ē\ adverb

— brit·tle·ness \ˈbri-t^əl-nəs\ noun

Examples of BRITTLE

1. <a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket>
2. <a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt>

Origin of BRITTLE

Middle English britil; akin to Old English brēotan to break, Old Norse brjōta

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRITTLE

Synonyms: brickle [dialect], crisp, crispy, crumbly, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), friable, short

Antonyms: cordial, friendly, genial, happy, hearty, sympathetic, warm, warm-blooded, warmhearted

Related Words: crackly, crisped, crispened, crunchy, crusty; breakable, delicate, fragile

Near Antonyms: elastic, flexible, pliable, pliant, resilient; strong, sturdy, tough

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at fragile

Rhymes with BRITTLE

kittle, little, skittle, spital, spittle, tittle, victual, whittle, wittol