Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective frangible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frangible are brittle, crisp, fragile, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would brittle be a good substitute for frangible?

The meanings of brittle and frangible largely overlap; however, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of frangible?

In some situations, the words crisp and frangible are roughly equivalent. However, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can fragile be used instead of frangible?

The synonyms fragile and frangible are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When could friable be used to replace frangible?

Although the words friable and frangible have much in common, 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 frangible Japanese officials confirmed that localizer structures near runways were sufficiently frangible. Grace Moon, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The barrier at the edge of the runway at Muan International Airport did not appear to be frangible, or have the ability to break apart, according to video footage and expert analysis, something investigators are likely to focus on. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 Solid fences are safer today thanks to safety features like frangible pins and MIM clips that make a fence fall or collapse when hit. Olivia Hampton, NPR, 5 June 2024 If the boat does not stop, the Interceptor pulls alongside and the agent fires with disintegrating frangible ammunition into the boat’s engine. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2021 Nagel pumped the shotgun and chambered the first frangible round. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2021 At 1,000 metres, a frangible bolt—which was supposed to detach explosively in the event of power loss to shed weight—broke off. The Economist, 6 Sep. 2019 Now the team, led by Professor of Computer Vision Paul Rosin, is asking for more texts too fragile to be opened, hoping to ease the burden on historical researchers hesitant to examine the frangible objects. Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2018 Details needed to be worked out, such as a requirement that school guns fire only frangible bullets, which break apart into small pieces and are unlikely to pass through victims, as a way to limit the danger to innocent students. Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 19 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frangible
Adjective
  • However, removing them can undermine employee engagement, especially in hybrid or rapidly changing environments with fragile personal connections.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • As the conflict between Israel and Iran rests on a fragile ceasefire, Rajebi and other Iranian Americans told USA TODAY about dismay at American involvement and fear for loved ones still in Iran, saying a resurgence in violence could ripple around the world.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Like a brittle leaf spiraling down a garden path, or the last cigarette passed between friends.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • In extreme cold, the plastic frames can become brittle and break.
    Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Guests can pick up housemade breads, rotisserie chicken, and delicate pastries made in partnership with Healdsburg’s Quail & Condor.
    Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The designer’s use of color is also about delicate balances.
    Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frangible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frangible. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!