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
• fragile
• crumbly
• friable
• crisped
• flaky
• short
• crispy
• 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
• reserved
• detached
• glacial
• unfriendly
• wintry
• unsympathetic
• gelid
• antiseptic
• hard-eyed
• coldish
• uncordial
• cold-eyed
• pitiless
• uncaring
• unresponsive
• cold-blooded
• heartless
• unfeeling
• unemotional
• soulless
• undemonstrative
• hard-hearted
• unenthusiastic
• bloodless
• aloof
• apathetic
• uninterested
• indifferent
• impersonal
• coldhearted
• 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

Leaks, brittle pipes, and joints that fail prematurely—all potentially costly repairs waiting to happen. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

But when stress, pollution, hormonal fluctuations, heat styling, and everyday life leave hair brittle, dull, and prone to breakage, there’s only so much a topical treatment can do. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 27 July 2026

Field trials in Qinghai province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region have already proven successful, demonstrating that bamboo barriers can endure brutal desert climates without brittle snapping or rotting early. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026

Summers was likely referencing osteogenesis imperfecta, a connective tissue disease that affects the production of collagen, leaving affected people with brittle and easily broken bones. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026