CRISP Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'crisp' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crisp are brittle , fragile , frangible , and friable . While all these words mean "breaking easily," crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods. // crisp lettuce

Q: When can 'brittle' be used instead of 'crisp'?

Although the words brittle and crisp have much in common, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness. // brittle bones

Q: When is 'fragile' a more appropriate choice than 'crisp'?

In some situations, the words fragile and crisp are roughly equivalent. 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 'crisp'?

The words frangible and crisp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy. // frangible stone used for paving

Q: When could 'friable' be used to replace 'crisp'?

The meanings of friable and crisp largely overlap; however, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized. // friable soil

crisp 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrisp

Definition of crisp next

as in brittle

having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure the bag of crisp cookies had a lot of crumbs on the bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tidy

being clean and in good order a pretty, crisp bedspread for the guest room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a crisp suggestion about what they could do with their boom box

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crisp

2 of 2

verb

as in to ripple

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crisp contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crisp are brittle, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can brittle be used instead of crisp?

Although the words brittle and crisp have much in common, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is fragile a more appropriate choice than crisp?

In some situations, the words fragile and crisp are roughly equivalent. 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 crisp?

The words frangible and crisp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When could friable be used to replace crisp?

The meanings of friable and crisp largely overlap; 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 crisp

Adjective

What to wear for eating linguine alle vongole with friends on a crisp sunny afternoon in New York City? —

Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 Now, in a crisp gray suit with his hair parted neatly to the side, Ou was about to ring Nasdaq’s closing bell to celebrate Fly’s IPO. —

Jesse Coburn, Curbed, 31 Jan. 2025

Verb

For crusty bread, take off the foil and pop the loaf in the oven for no more than five minutes to crisp up the crust. —

Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025 And deep, rich soundtracks, crackling and crisping with the hum of the nascent digital era. —

Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

The world is a brittle place, with disease outbreaks, wars in Gaza and Ukraine and climate change adding to the anxiety.

— Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
Because of the intense heat produced by the eruption, the scrolls resemble brittle lumps of charcoal.

— Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025