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

Their sound profile, while not as neutral and pristine as their sibling’s, is still excellent, delivering crisp and lively audio that matches up with almost any other entry on this list. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026 Count on these spots as your guide to the season among the Adirondacks, scenes of fall colors reflected on Lake Placid, breathing in the crisp air of the Berkshires. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

From speckled bowls to crisp white trays, these pieces are both durable and endlessly versatile. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026 Much of the cooking here will happen skin-side down to allow the filet to crisp up. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

Sand-like granules collecting in gutters, curling or missing shingles, brittle or cracking shingles, sagging sections and indoor leaks or ceiling stains are the standard indicators that a roof is failing.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Studying an intact oarfish is remarkably difficult because their bodies typically disintegrate into brittle segments upon death.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

The tidy nature of the buildings, which had once been a source of pride for Shawn, now appeared threatening in its precision.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Try to put your economy-of-motion hat on and organize each step of the process in a way that’s organized and tidy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of tidy

Verb

On Facebook, Lee’s account displayed a picture of the young Chinese man from behind, rippling shoulders framed in a weight lifter’s tank top.

— Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Escarpments were carved into beaches, asphalt rippled on the coastal highway, and tourists like Lester were left trapped.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

Via Pignasecca 17 Pioneering, award-winning pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo is known for his particularly digestible dough, which is lighter and crispier than the norm, thanks to the higher percentage of water to flour.

— Nicky Swallow, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026
Chicken specialists like Chick-fil-A, Popeyes and Raising Cane's already hand-bread or batter their chicken for a crispier exterior and better taste.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of crispy

Adjective

This mini version of the neat leather bow showed up in other spring 2027 shoes.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
His query was earnestly tackled by the engineers at the RAND Corporation, who, in 1955, published a book composed only of a series of unrelated numerals piled up in neat rows.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of neat

Adjective

The drug induces a powerful loss of personal identity and a brief but total dissolution of time and space.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Getting over this final hurdle comes after months of delays, including the major antitrust lawsuit from a coalition of 12 states, and even a Hail Mary last ditch amicus brief from a grassroots coalition that sought to block the merger entirely.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of brief

Verb

Or maybe Pitt simply wanted to get his Jack London on, traipsing throughout gorgeous natural terrain and ruffling his co-star’s fur in between fending off feral wolves and navigating impromptu whitewater rafting trips sans the raft.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Sydney Sweeney ruffled the feathers of some professional athletes when her ad for the sports trading app Novig dropped last week.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruffle

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

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Synonyms of crisp

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