BRITTLE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

brittle

adjective

ˈbri-tᵊl

Definition of brittle

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in icy

lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 brittle Persistent wilting, widespread leaf drop, and brittle stems are signs your tomato plant is unlikely to recover. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026 Wilting when soil moisture seems adequate, browning brittle leaves, and stunted growth can all be signs of too much fertilizer. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026 The picture of friendship that emerges from books like McCarthy’s can feel romanticized and brittle. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 Brittle fractures happen to brittle solids, which have elasticity. — Rohini Subrahmanyam, Quanta Magazine, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for brittle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brittle

Adjective

Slightly dressier than classic blue jeans or crisp white denim, dark-wash styles can transition from work to a night out with ease.

— Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
Must-order side dishes include authentic, crisp and skinny French fries, redolent of truffle, and giant slices of roasted Brussels sprouts.

— Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of crisp

Adjective

These women of the W aren’t the only professional athletes to point out their icy relationship with their commissioner.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
For an additional pop of color, Cardi wore her hair in an icy blue bob that was parted to the side and curled under at the ends.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of icy

Adjective

And when Red Bull did not stop him under the VSC, that meant going just 28 laps to the finish on the soft compound, a hefty stint for the most fragile tire.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 26 July 2026
As Jason’s obsession with the Box deepens, Daniela’s growing paranoia pushes her to the brink, threatening to tear their fragile stability apart.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

It was instead caused by cold air plummeting to the ground from the upper levels of a passing thunderstorm, experts says.

— Mark Price July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
For lunch, head outside to The Pocket pool bar and lounge for fish tacos and a cold beer.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

Definition of cold

Adjective

Inside, the filling is a smooth, but not too creamy or crumbly mixture that actually tastes like peanut butter.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
This rendition of shortbread has all the flavor of a classic carrot cake, in a crumbly, buttery cookie form.

— Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

Definition of crumbly

Adjective

Indeed, Russia’s mass barrages last winter of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure – designed to keep Ukrainians cold, in the dark, and hopeless during the most frigid winter of recent years – are now being answered by Ukraine.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026
Though the frigid headmaster answers their questions about his wife and his own timeline without flair, his demeanor immediately puts Annie on edge.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 July 2026

Definition of frigid

Adjective

The soil is peat dark, friable, and gravid with potatoes, onions, sugar beet, lettuce, maize, and wheat that moves in dry, whispering sheets.

— Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
The second bottle, with confetti-ish contents, was equally useless—whatever had been inside had broken down into a friable mess.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of friable

Adjective

Follow the breeze into a century-old limestone mine that stays at a chilly 52 degrees year-round.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2026
Michelle Obama recently wore a similar pale blue polish, Emily Blunt went lavender, and Taylor Swift got a jumpstart on the season in an equally chilly millennial mint shade.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 July 2026

Definition of chilly

Browse Nearby Words

britches

brittle

brittleness

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“Brittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brittle. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of brittle

adjective

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