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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crisp

2 of 2

verb

as in to ripple

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

At happy hour, fresh Marlborough oysters, caviar bumps delivered tableside via trolley cart, and crisp glasses of Central Otago chardonnay flow freely inside the Library Bar. — Michelle Gross, Robb Report, 30 July 2026 This version delivers creamy eggplant—not greasy slices—thanks to a simple wet brine before breading, while a crisp panko coating provides texture beneath the sauce and cheese. — Rachel Dolfi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026

Verb

Increase oven temperature to 425°F to crisp the casings. — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026 Peel and cube potatoes into bite-sized pieces and soak potatoes in cold water 1 hour to crisp. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

Low energy, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, fainting, brittle or thin nails, hair loss, cravings to chew ice and restless legs syndrome are a few signs, according to Thomas.

— Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
As the years go by, the hair shaft tends to thin out, resulting in strands that are more fragile, dull, and brittle.

— Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 31 July 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

Subtraction Is Energy Strategy, Not Minimalism Subtraction gets mistaken for minimalism — fewer apps, fewer meetings, a tidier desk.

— Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
On screen, Secret Wars is a tidy way to justify a new cast and a rebooted storyline.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 31 July 2026

Definition of tidy

Adjective

Sell the position through concise job descriptions, transparent salary ranges, and highlighting small business advantages like flexibility and impact.

— Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The Sirens, the Lotus-Eaters, and Odysseus’ father, Laertes, are all casualties of the relatively concise but splashy format.

— Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

Definition of concise

Verb

Before long, the neighborhood became a proving ground and creative hub for an eclectic music scene whose influence continues to ripple through Atlanta today.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
Getty Images The aftermath of OpenAI’s Hugging Face breach continues to ripple throughout the tech ecosystem.

— Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

Down below, Metropole Underground brings a lick of turn-of-the-century Paris to Phnom Penh, with a neat menu of bar food and cocktails inspired by Metro lines across seven countries.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Cassady’s symptoms did not arrive in a neat, recognizable pattern.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 29 July 2026

Definition of neat

Adjective

That will be followed by a brief break, before returning to the field in August and aligning to the traditional autumn-to-spring schedule most of the world’s top leagues observe.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Before her brief appearance, Ned and MJ are in a tense standoff with Peter, who just emerged from the multiverse to help save their universe’s Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

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“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crisp

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verb

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