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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
These are balanced by the crisp tartness of green apples, adding a refreshing contrast. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025 Nothing too heavy, nothing too sweet, but just that perfect amount of crisp freshness. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 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
  • Southerners know the importance of keeping a clean and tidy house.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Financial details remain undisclosed, but international presales moved briskly at film markets over the past year, suggesting Yeon and his collaborators have likely already made a tidy return.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of tidy
Adjective
  • Harnessing Technology the Right Way Mr. Espino has embraced artificial intelligence (AI), but with a focused strategy using concise and precise data.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Definition of concise
Verb
  • Ambulances rushed to drag the wounded away, while panic rippled through the crowd.
    — Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Wooden slats hang from the ceiling, rippling across like water.
    — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of ripple
Adjective
  • Such a short distance is considered well within reach of a basic marksman.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.
    — Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Some of Chelsea’s other successful corner routines haven’t been quite as neat, with a series of half-clearances and scuffed contacts forcing scraps in the six-yard box before other teammates could apply the finishing touch.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Charles Marquis Warren’s direction pinpoints the action with neat perfection.
    — Hal Landers, HollywoodReporter, 10 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 entry of electric vehicles, however, could shake things up — disrupt the industry and ruffle the pecking order.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Reese, who is in her second WNBA season, ruffled a lot of feathers with those comments.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of ruffle

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crisp
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Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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