crisp 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrisp How to pronounce crisp (audio)
Definition of crispnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tidy
being clean and in good order a pretty, crisp bedspread for the guest room

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3
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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crisp

2 of 2

verb

as in to ripple

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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
His childhood was defined by wild flavors: eating seabird brains, fish crisped over open flames, and plucking berries straight from the tundra. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025 Those shallow sides let hot air from the oven circulate and crisp the ingredients’ exteriors. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 14 July 2025
Verb
Huma Sulaiman Design’s captivating spaces are a study in contrasts—dark and light, past and present, crisp lines and soft curves. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 Trends come and go, but timeless wardrobe staples—denim, crisp white tops, trench coats, and the best leather jackets—can last for years. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
  1. brittle
  2. tidy
  3. concise
  4. ripple
  5. short
  6. neat
  7. brief
  8. ruffle
Adjective
  • Like the blind father, the country is desperately trying to overcome its past and disadvantages, in pursuit of a more beautiful future — but that pursuit almost necessarily entails a brittle form of pride, which leads to various injustices along the way.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The risk is that the model overreaches, stripping out human oversight in ways that leave the system brittle.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of brittle
Adjective
  • Whether banger or ballad, her tracks make room for characters, settings, twists, a tidy ending, a cliff-hanger.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The interior is charming, too, with low bucket seats, tidy vinyl trim called Vynide, and a flat windshield in the spirit of prewar sports cars.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of tidy
Adjective
  • McVey, 28, has reaped a personal bonus from the concise coaching: he’s been freed up to develop his game by not having to direct traffic as much.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Then draft a concise, personalized cover letter highlighting my strongest fit points.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of concise
Verb
  • Video reviewed and verified by ABC News shows the moment the tower collapses, rippling the canvas of an encampment's tents.
    — Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Like plunging into a cold pond, your decisions ripple across time, eventually bouncing off other areas of your life in ways that aren’t always easy to predict.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of ripple
Adjective
  • On its opening day, multiple patients from UHI made the short walk across Fisherman Street to the big blue bus to wait for their names to be called.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The advent of short-form cricket has seen fielding standards rise rapidly in the past decade.
    — James Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • The traditional ignition on the steering wheel’s left is replaced by a start/stop button — a neat updating of Porsche’s legacy.
    — Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The inclusion on one concourse wall of the poem ‘Goodison is forever’ that PJ Smith recited at the old ground’s final act as the home of the men’s team in May is another neat touch.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of neat
Adjective
  • Young looked sharp throughout the summer, but his brief preseason misgivings carried over to the regular-season opener.
    — DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The brief and unremarkable tenure of France’s prime minister has come crashing to an end.
    — Cole Stangler, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of brief
Verb
  • The males ruffle their tail feathers and two-step into the hearts of females in an effort to get some action.
    — Joe Salas August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
  • This pike ruffled his temper with its lunging rushes, and so Maurice really lowered the boom.
    — Ben East, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025
Definition of ruffle

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Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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