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 It’s taxed our workers, it’s made our supply chains more brittle and it’s made our country less prosperous, less free and less secure. Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025 Nail hardeners, cuticle moisturizers, base coats, and protective polish are all nail treatments that are easy to use and even can be formulated to treat specific issues, such as repairing brittle nails from UV gel damage, improving the nails’ surface and texture, and more. Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025 As the skin became more brittle, the hair fell out and the fatty layer beneath began to show more through the years, the white color faded, researchers said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 It's enriched with black castor oil to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair growth and coconut oil to hydrate dry and brittle strands. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brittle
Adjective
  • There’s an elegant severity to the natural elements that share the frame with the movie’s characters, manifested in silhouettes against vast cloudy skies, delicate snowfalls, shafts of light in dark interiors and crisp air filled with smoke and dust.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • The All-American Mom Patz & Hall North Coast Brut Sparkling, CA: A crisp and zesty expression of 100% Chardonnay from cool climate vineyards.
    Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There is marine sand and sediment, river wash, and alluvium, with pockets of soft, crumbly earth and clay.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Using a fork, cut in butter until flour mixture is crumbly.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Pretty Touches Furnishings and accessories can be used as multifunctional pieces to add charm so the space does not look too cold and office-like, says Daley.
    Stacey Zable, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In many regions, spring weather can fluctuate between cold and dry to warm and slightly humid.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In public comments to the federal agency, city leaders stressed how the Big Easy's already fragile, aging drinking water infrastructure would have trouble withstanding the impacts if the 2024 sill were to breach.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The film splinters the mind as pitilessly as previous Cronenberg movies went to work on the fragile, spongy body. 16.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Led by superstar Kyle Tucker, the lineup features power, speed and athleticism, a combination that has allowed the Cubs to win close games in frigid weather, beat good pitchers and blow teams out of Wrigley Field.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The spacecraft will then embark on an almost seven-year-long voyage through deep space to the Saturn system, with the goal of spending more than three years studying areas across Titan's frigid and diverse surface.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After a short ceremony, the church will open to the public from: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday: 7 a.m. to midnight Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Artificial: Artificial ground (AG) cleats have the shortest cleats of the bunch.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After many storms and boat impacts, their only pier is no longer safe to use so the locals have to wade out to the arriving dhows to unload in choppy and quite chilly waters.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • On a chilly, cloudy morning in New York state's Rockland County, the Rev. Steven M.P. Neier led a joyful yet solemn Mass on April 21 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Congers.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brittle. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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