1
as in delicate
easily broken
attaching the beautiful but fragile ornaments to the Christmas tree is always a touchy operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensitive
easily injured without careful handling
babies are fragile, so remember to care for them gently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in small
small in degree
a fragile possibility that we might emerge from this fiasco unscathed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 for passengers choosing to fly instruments in premium cabins, United, like many airlines, allows travelers to purchase an extra seat for oversized or fragile items such as cellos or guitars.
—
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Tuna often cuts his hands, but the greater pain comes from losing fragile work.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
This effort should be paired with a concerted effort to increase the number of overseas personnel with experience and training in combating corruption, beginning with ambassadors, who are often the tip of the spear of anticorruption efforts in fragile democracies.
—Casey Michel, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Set in post-war America, The Great Mann is a compelling narrative of the fragile nature of progress in a country still shaped by segregation.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fragile
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Tuna often cuts his hands, but the greater pain comes from losing fragile work.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
This effort should be paired with a concerted effort to increase the number of overseas personnel with experience and training in combating corruption, beginning with ambassadors, who are often the tip of the spear of anticorruption efforts in fragile democracies.
—Casey Michel, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
Set in post-war America, The Great Mann is a compelling narrative of the fragile nature of progress in a country still shaped by segregation.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fragile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile
Adjective
-
Exercising sound discretion while remaining faithful to the grantor’s wishes is a delicate balancing act that requires insight and judgment.—
Royce Ramey,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Another layer of pastry sits atop the mixture and is covered in crystal sugar, which adds a nice sweetness to contrast the tart filling, as well as a delicate crunch in each bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Federated Learning: This privacy-preserving technique allows AI models to learn from decentralized data across games and platforms without compromising user privacy, enhancing moderation without centralizing sensitive data.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
They are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Their overall role is still small but significantly elevated when viewed as part of the non-carbon share.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
His music is treasured by a small but intensely dedicated fanbase that includes more than a few rock legends who came up alongside and after him.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the summertime, higher temperatures and exposure to the elements can leave hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Adding to Taiwan’s energy insecurity is the fact that its power grid, while cost-effective, is also brittle.—
Jim Ellis,
Foreign Affairs,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Healthy aging and walking Whether or not an older adult is frail, mobility is still an important part of healthy aging.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
16 July 2025
-
Severe infections are particularly dangerous for young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Trump could test the strength of the Republican Party’s slim House and Senate majorities by trying to repeal or suspend the Home Rule Act.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Most functions are accessed via a slim center console with hexagonal haptic touchpads.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Put away any fragile or breakable items in hard-to-reach areas, and secure cabinets.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
-
Depending on your budget, this may mean only hiring movers to take care of a small portion of your more breakable, bulky or precious items, while teaming up with friends or family to take care of the rest.—
Talia Wexler,
CNBC,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Interim manager Ray Montgomery agreed that plan made sense, despite the recent number of off days.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The game was suspended due to rain in the first inning and then completed the following afternoon, which was supposed to be an off day.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share