1
2
3

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 The finale offers no easy answers, only the fragile hope that connection might be enough. Jp Mangalindan, Time, 24 Oct. 2025 Battling the debilitating symptoms of a late-stage brain tumor, his grasp on reality becomes increasingly fragile, and as the unlikely duo sets out on the run, old memories blur with the present, dredging up dark secrets from his past. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025 And yet Maram wanted to be there—to stand with her family members in those first fragile moments of quiet, to celebrate our survival and mourn our dead. Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 Envoys Kushner and Witkoff pursued regional diplomacy as Israel and Hamas reaffirmed the fragile truce. Staff, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile
Adjective
  • While those connotations may have long since lost their relevance, contemporary designers have been embracing lace more than ever recently, filling collections in New York Bridal Fashion Week with beautiful gowns crafted in the delicate, classic material.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
  • She was elegantly dressed in a cream coat dress adorned with delicate embroidery, paired with matching heels and a coordinating clutch bag.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This allows users to benefit from AI acceleration without exposing sensitive information.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Teens will need to allow their parents access and provide them with a time-sensitive QR code to complete activation.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Viruses, as well as small bits of vegetation and invasive zebra mussel larvae, can hide in the plumbing of your rig.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Kahn is optimistic that Coach’s focus on a smaller number of affordable, yet consistent products puts it in a better place to manage cost and price increases than its competitors.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Grass blades are more fragile and brittle in the cold.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The brittle cornerstone of a decades-old player-development system suddenly crumbled, bringing the rest of the city game down with it.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The figures were outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez, Santiago Carrillo, head of the Spanish Communist Party, and armed forces chief Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado who, though a frail near-70, got up to order the rebel Guards to lay down their arms.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The fate of one of the few remaining opposition figures who was still in the country depended on the frail relationship between the Cuban government and the United States.
    Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though pain is worsening every day for Americans, the prospects of any major deal getting cut while the leader of the Republican party is across the world are slim.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
  • That Blake Lively starrer launched to a $24 million opening day and a $50 million debut — against a slim $25 million production budget.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While the slower speed and emphasis on physics, from the long-distance drop of bullet trajectories to the breakable foundations of structures, are a huge part of Battlefield’s DNA, there’s also just an inherent silliness to some of the tactics that stir joy.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Use foam sheets or acid-free tissue to wrap breakable items, such as ceramic dinnerware made from bone china, porcelain, mirrors, or lamps.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.
    Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • And then the third Wednesday is an off week.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fragile

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!