crisp 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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crisp

2 of 2

verb

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

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
The Charter Club Wide-leg 100 Percent Linen Pants, currently 50 percent off, offer that crisp, breathable feel that works for everything from coastal walks to casual dinners. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026 The walls of the clean, crisp restaurant are decorated with framed photos of the same two canines. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Then cook the sandwiches in a hot cast-iron skillet to crisp the bread and warm the meat. Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for crisp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
Adjective
  • The National Transportation Safety Board traced that explosion to a brittle crack in a plastic gas pipe manufactured in 1970.
    Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • All along the road, trees raised their scrawny hands, white-knuckled against the brittle sky.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Life, certainly not Michael Jackson’s life, was ever that neat and tidy.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Downtown Wilmington and its suburbs looked tidy and well-kept.
    Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This new rule affords clear and concise considerations for both independent professionals and small businesses to build independence and economic growth, pursue risks, yet avoid regulatory and legal reprisal while doing so.
    Jennifer Oliver Oconnell, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Fuentes offers a more concise gloss.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The chilling effect has rippled across the Ivy League, with postdocs and international researchers at multiple institutions reporting heightened anxiety about speaking publicly on their work.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The factory slated to provide batteries to Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant near Savannah will open later this month following a prolonged delay caused by an immigration raid last year that rippled across Georgia and the globe.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s even a neat little umbrella holster indentation in the very back to contain the runoff from a wet umbrella—great feature to have here in the rainy springtime.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Eventually, my letters became neater, rounder, more consistent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After a brief pursuit, the teen ran away.
    Ash-har Quraishi, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • That the timing, however brief, was exact.
    Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Below, during a conversation with THR, Cronin also discusses his unique ability to deliver gore without ruffling the MPA’s feathers.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Someone else said the waffles could be crispier.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Episode 2 In Episode 2, Cochran was tasked in the Quickfire Challenge with using coffee-chocolate chip gelato and a pantry of Colombian ingredients, leading her to create a coffee-spiced rack of lamb tartare with aioli, chili pepper and crispy plantains.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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