Synonyms of flaky

flaky

adjective

ˈflā-kē 

variants also flakey

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

• brittle
• crisp
• crisped
• crumbly
• crispy
• fragile
• friable
• short
• crusty
• embrittled
• delicate
• brickle
• crunchy
• crackly
• breakable
• crispened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• elastic
• resilient
• strong
• pliable
• tough
• pliant
• sturdy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flaky

The rich, silky formula coats the lips with collagen-boosting peptides, Brazilian acai butter, and African mongongo butter to plump and lock in moisture, while lactic acid and hibiscus flower enzymes buff away dry, flaky texture. — Tasha Nicole Smith, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026

Google’s testing team published its flaky test numbers in 2016, showing that almost 16% of its tests exhibited some flakiness, with new flaky tests appearing at roughly the same rate existing ones were being fixed. — Mudit Singh, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

The savory vol-au-vent with pear and onion jam, tart tamarind and pecorino cheese is ambitious, but the pastry itself was a bit heavy, the layers not quite flaky enough for the abundant stuffing. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Due to a mutation in a single gene, East Asians have dry, flaky earwax, while people of African or European descent have wet, squishy earwax. — David Hu, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026