Synonyms of brittle

brittle

adjective

ˈbri-tᵊl 

1

as in crisp

having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure

a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crisp
• crumbly
• fragile
• short
• friable
• flaky
• crisped
• crispy
• flakey
• embrittled
• brickle
• delicate
• crunchy
• crusty
• crackly
• breakable
• crispened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elastic
• flexible
• resilient
• pliable
• strong
• tough
• pliant
• sturdy

2

as in icy

lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling

a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• icy
• cold
• frigid
• chilly
• cool
• clammy
• frozen
• chill
• arctic
• frosty
• detached
• reserved
• glacial
• unfriendly
• wintry
• unsympathetic
• gelid
• antiseptic
• wintery
• hard-eyed
• coldish
• uncordial
• cold-eyed
• pitiless
• uncaring
• unresponsive
• cold-blooded
• heartless
• unfeeling
• unemotional
• soulless
• undemonstrative
• hard-hearted
• coldhearted
• unenthusiastic
• bloodless
• aloof
• apathetic
• uninterested
• indifferent
• impersonal
• kindless
• dispassionate
• antisocial
• standoffish
• unsociable
• offish
• unsocial

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warm
• friendly
• sympathetic
• happy
• cordial
• kind
• hearty
• genial
• emotional
• expressive
• compassionate
• warm-blooded
• demonstrative
• warmhearted
• eager
• enthusiastic
• kindhearted
• passionate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brittle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of brittle are crisp, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When could crisp be used to replace brittle?

The synonyms crisp and brittle are sometimes interchangeable, but crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

In what contexts can fragile take the place of brittle?

The meanings of fragile and brittle largely overlap; however, fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When would frangible be a good substitute for brittle?

While the synonyms frangible and brittle are close in meaning, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When might friable be a better fit than brittle?

In some situations, the words friable and brittle are roughly equivalent. However, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized.

friable soil

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brittle

But a new study suggests women can both manage their weight and guard against brittle bones by eating a low-calorie Mediterranean diet and getting a variety of exercise throughout the week. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Effortless, beachy waves that stay soft and bouncy, not brittle. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 May 2025

This deeply hydrating treatment offers touchable softness to brittle strands and delivers moisture directly to the cortex with a potent blend of squalane, humectants, and peptides. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 30 Apr. 2025

Taking magnesium supplements may help improve health conditions like high blood pressure, osteoporosis (brittle bones), and migraines. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 30 Apr. 2025