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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How does the adjective crisp contrast with its synonyms?

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

No matter the season or your personal style, a crisp button-up is a must to master the art of high-low dressing. —

India Roby, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026 Made with fragrant heirloom corn masa, it’s lined with torn quesillo, melted and seared until lightly bronzed, adding a crisp, savory layer. —

Anais Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

Sheepskin furs drape over the wooden benches of its plein-air High Altitude Brasserie, where rosy-cheeked patrons swill crisp Champagne and dip their long, elegant forks into bubbling cauldrons of local Engadin mountain cheese. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026 An egg, dropped in a slop of melting butter, was crisping up from a cloudy white into a golden brown. —

Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

In smaller yards, this can easily extend into a neighbor's property—a real problem, considering how brittle silver maple branches can be.

— Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of brittle

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“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of crisp

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