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
  • Give emerging leaders real authority quickly by assigning stretch tasks that carry visible stakes.
    Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Made out of non-stretch organic cotton, the jeans are finished with gold contrast stitching and equipped with a classic five-pocket design that’s not only visually appealing but also practical (providing ample space for storing your lip gloss tubes and phone).
    Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As Perez wrote, Musk’s free-speech absolutism was a fiction perpetuated by a pliant media.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Accusations of Russian interference Ahead of the election, Sandu accused Russia of attempting to sway the vote to install a government more pliant to Moscow through a vast disinformation campaign.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 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
  • Its lagers and IPAs tend to skew floral and citrusy, perfect for sipping from a plastic cup in the brewery's dog park.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the people defacing Friend’s advertisements are expressing a much larger, inchoate rage at the broader AI industry, not just these plastic pendants that practically nobody owns.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These styles are also gentle and pliable against gums.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • But for many, Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation is ringing fascism alarm bells for the first time, and bringing into focus just how eagerly pliable many Americans are.
    James Folta September 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While mountain lions are highly adaptable to various ecosystems, their numbers declined historically due to being hunted by fearful humans.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • These adaptable machines could be deployed in environments currently too dangerous or inaccessible for humans or conventional robots.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For this reason, avoid elastic bandages.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The elastic waistband stretches to move with you, and the pants come with faux buttons to make slipping them on a breeze.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ductile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ductile. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ductile

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