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 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 Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of fragments of the earth's rigid outermost shell on an inner ductile layer. David Bressan, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 At the atomic level, there are principally four phases of auto steel, including the hardest yet most brittle, called martensite, and the more ductile austenite. John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ductile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ductile
Adjective
  • Dunaway should get stretch powers, because Hollywood is cruel about women aging and Mr. Fantastic’s power can be used like Botox (see also: Elasti-Woman on Doom Patrol).
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025
  • Your role is to coach, give honest feedback, and help identify stretch opportunities.
    Adrian Gostick, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Japan hasn’t been as pliant as Trump seemed to expect.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Letz is a physically and emotionally pliant but also a verbose actor of great versatility, able to play a standard Second City dad and Chicag’ow type, but also a neurotic (lots of call for that in this show) and a dweeb and, well, whatever gets thrown his way.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • But, Gillis said, Dozier taught the boys to be more violent at a time when their brains were malleable.
    The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • Powell's term as Fed chairman runs out in ten months, giving Trump an opportunity to install a more malleable leader of the central bank.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Simon added countries need to agree on the language for a treaty, so the world can work together to finally end plastic pollution.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Each loaf was sold in a 12-ounce plastic bag marked with UPC 24126018152 on the bottom of the packaging.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • It’s been a while since someone figured out a way to make the electric guitar sound not only interesting but expansive, dangerous, infinite, pliable.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • At an indie level, merengue also proved pliable, merging with metal and industrial riffs in psychedelic epics from Gallo Lester and Mediopicky, and providing a sinewy canvas for the poetic soul-searching of Rita Indiana and Xiomara Fortuna.
    Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Because charter schools are proving to be engines of talent development, economic mobility, and innovation in cities and states hungry for a skilled, adaptable workforce.
    Jeanne Allen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Initially, such adaptable machines could be used in challenging environments like disaster zones or outer space.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • This new iteration has a stretchy, ultra-comfortable boxer liner, an elastic waistband, and side pockets.
    Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The shorts have an elastic waistband that ties at the waist with a drawstring, and the button-down top offers breathable coverage.
    Danielle Calma, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ductile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ductile. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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