flaky

adjective

ˈflā-kē How to pronounce flaky (audio)
variants also flakey
Definition of flakynext
as in brittle
having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure a tender but flaky crust on the pastry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flaky There are always a few fresh baguettes, a bowl of flaky salt, a jar of mustard, and some good butter on the table. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 10 July 2026 Loved how flaky the dough was and the mayo garlic Parmesan was delightful. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2026 Triaging a flaky test means reading a custom reporting layer; updating a test means understanding the internal context engine. — Mudit Singh, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Gold Bond recently released its Refreshing Hand Creams, a collection of four lightly scented, ultra-hydrating hand creams that stave off scaly, flaky hands without leaving behind a greasy residue. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaky
  1. brittle
  2. crisp
Adjective
  • Persistent wilting, widespread leaf drop, and brittle stems are signs your tomato plant is unlikely to recover.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026
  • Wilting when soil moisture seems adequate, browning brittle leaves, and stunted growth can all be signs of too much fertilizer.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of brittle
Adjective
  • And once my pink shoulders had enough sun, a crisp white button-down became the perfect cover-up for a little extra protection.
    — Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • Damon can be as crisp an orator as any actor now working, but his performance here reminds you why Jason Bourne, moving stealthily through a crowd like a sheathed dagger, remains one of his defining roles.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of crisp

Browse Nearby Words

flaking
flaky
flamboyance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaky. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All