ductile

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ductile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ductile are adaptable, malleable, plastic, pliable, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When can adaptable be used instead of ductile?

The words adaptable and ductile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When would malleable be a good substitute for ductile?

While the synonyms malleable and ductile are close in meaning, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

Where would plastic be a reasonable alternative to ductile?

The meanings of plastic and ductile largely overlap; however, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is it sensible to use pliable instead of ductile?

While in some cases nearly identical to ductile, pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

When might pliant be a better fit than ductile?

Although the words pliant and ductile have much in common, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 ductile The order, unanimously approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, directs the utility to retire the remaining 1,000 miles of aging leak-prone cast iron and ductile pipes running under Chicago by 2035. Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 This sliding is what leads to the material being ductile (able to be drawn into wires) and malleable (able to be hammered into shapes), which are characteristics of softness. John Werner, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 The all-aluminum M1s are apparently hard enough to handle ice but ductile enough to not easily chip or shatter when hitting rocks. Cameron Martindell, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 The majority of Surprise’s water line system is made of PVC and ductile iron, Water Resource Management Director Mike Boule explained. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ductile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ductile
Adjective
  • Horford brings a stretch presence that can knock down open shots and score to help navigate the non-Curry minutes more comfortably.
    Jannelle Moore, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The non-stretch jean has a dry indigo wash and features curved legs with an extra seam for structure and oversized back pockets.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Raskob took his own leap into the political fray by bankrolling Smith and using the DNC to settle scores—with the help of a pliant press.
    Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
  • As Perez wrote, Musk’s free-speech absolutism was a fiction perpetuated by a pliant media.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Differences between biological age and chronological age speaks to the possibility that aging is malleable.
    Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Technology and the almighty algorithms keep many musicians under their thumb, and only the malleable prosper.
    Waylon Barnes, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The food court had a spread of pizza, hot dogs, and squares of sheet cake, a plastic fork planted neatly atop each.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Finally, wrap rolled up rugs in plastic and seal valuable clothing in tight plastic bags or bins.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Beaton used his patient, pliable and easygoing sisters, Nancy and Barbara as his early muses.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The original 20-point peace plan called for all living and dead hostages to be turned over within 72 hours, but the timeline for the dead hostages’ release quickly became more pliable as Hamas outlined the difficulty in recovering them.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sensory bins include sensory sand, a kind of sand that is soft, moldable, and holds its shape.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Together, the two robots showcase the broad promise of soft magnetic actuator, ranging from minimally invasive healthcare to adaptable machines that can explore harsh environments.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Pumpkin is the season’s quiet powerhouse—earthy, velvety, and endlessly adaptable.
    The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The high-waist fit is supportive, and the elastic waistband stretches to move with you.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • These pull-on style pants also have a faux fly, an elastic waistband, and four functional pockets.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ductile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ductile. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ductile

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