Definition of fragilenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fragile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fragile are brittle, crisp, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

In what contexts can brittle take the place of fragile?

The words brittle and fragile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of fragile?

Although the words crisp and fragile have much in common, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

Where would frangible be a reasonable alternative to fragile?

The words frangible and fragile can be used in similar contexts, but frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would friable be a good substitute for fragile?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragile, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized.

friable soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fragile As traffic slowly recovers and oil prices ease, Washington presses an interim peace deal with Tehran while Israeli-Hezbollah clashes in Lebanon threaten to widen the region’s fragile wartime truce. Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Trump earlier this month invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate weapons production, citing systemic constraints in the munitions base, including limited production capacity, fragile supply chains and long lead times. Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 June 2026 Her health, her heart is fragile. Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 24 June 2026 An already fragile trust in public institutions was eroded further. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fragile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile
Adjective
  • The chips beneath were noticeably thin, delicate but sturdy enough to retain their crunch.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The war remains in a delicate ceasefire while both sides attempt to broker a permanent peace deal.
    Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
    Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.
    Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
  • People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International.
    Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Restore dry, brittle hair with this hydrating shampoo that more than 8,000 shoppers bought in the last month alone.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • Grass blades with frost on them are brittle and can be damaged by mowing.
    David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The law had said medically frail people include those who have substance use disorders, disabilities or serious medical conditions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
  • Roosevelt credits that experience with transforming him from a frail, nearsighted youth into a rugged individual who years later would become the 26th president and a pioneering conservationist.
    Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • With ultra-slim Republican margins in the House and Senate, Congress is having a tough time doing just the basics of legislating, let alone passing controversial legislation.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • For example, slim velvet hangers save room on the rod and help slippery items stay put.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • If public-key cryptography becomes breakable, attackers can impersonate services, weaken the handshakes that set up secure sessions and forge signatures that make malicious code look legitimate.
    Kumar Mehta, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • In order to become an official Guinness World Records title holder, records must be measurable, breakable, standardizable, verifiable, and substantially different from any other current record, according to the Guinness World Records website.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • For a team that began the season with off days coming at a premium, a brief stretch with two open dates is a respite from the wear and tear of a long season.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
  • His shot diet is already optimized for the league, his frame holds up in physical matchups and his off-ball activity gives coaches a willing piece to weave into screen and handoff actions.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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