Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective elastic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elastic are flexible, resilient, springy, and supple. While all these words mean "able to endure strain without being permanently injured," elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching.

an elastic waistband

When could flexible be used to replace elastic?

The meanings of flexible and elastic largely overlap; however, flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking.

flexible plastic tubing

When might resilient be a better fit than elastic?

Although the words resilient and elastic have much in common, resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed.

a resilient innersole

In what contexts can springy take the place of elastic?

The words springy and elastic can be used in similar contexts, but springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape.

the cake is done when the top is springy

When can supple be used instead of elastic?

The words supple and elastic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury.

supple leather

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 elastic The act of threading beads onto string or elastic can help improve fine motor skills, too. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025 The company’s movement language—restless, precise, elastic—has built a home for stories that were long told elsewhere, or not at all. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025 Designers used elastic neoprene for comfort and rigid plastic guides to keep threads in place. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elastic
Adjective
  • However, if an employee purchases eligible health care items or services during furlough, they can’t be reimbursed from a flexible spending account until the worker returns to pay status and payroll deductions can be made.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Tourists are still enjoying Michigan's lineup of dynamic fall events amid Apple Month and Michigan Agritourism Month this October and are flexible to changing fall color patterns, said Nick Nerbonne, media and digital director for Travel Michigan.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the arm and backrests are adjustable to provide the maximum amount of comfort while lounging.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
  • With adjustable speed settings and options for hard or soft surfaces, the game grows with players and adapts to any space.
    Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Levi's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans Skinny jeans can be uncomfortable, but these ones from Levi’s are specifically designed with a tummy panel that smooths your mid-section and a stretchy fabric that hugs your curves.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Highlight features include the stretchy elastic, drawstring-adjustable waist, and practical side pockets that work together to offer a perfect blend of comfort and function.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, taking stock of your insurance is a great place to start, said Elizabeth Hausler, founder and former CEO of Build Change, a global nonprofit that helps homeowners make their properties more resilient.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Paying homage to this history, the 2025 iteration’s Chemigum outsole is oil-resistant, and its roughout leather is much more resilient than the comparable suede, though with a similar underhand feel.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Many will utilize stretchable fabric that allows for a full range of motion.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Pascal, who starred in the Marvel movie of the summer as stretchable man Reed Richards, joins costars Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in goofing off on set.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elastic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elastic

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