Synonyms of fragile

fragile

adjective

ˈfra-jəl 

1

as in delicate

easily broken

attaching the beautiful but fragile ornaments to the Christmas tree is always a touchy operation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delicate
• brittle
• frail
• breakable
• frangible
• weak
• fine
• tenuous
• soft
• feeble
• short
• flimsy
• shaky
• dainty
• friable
• gossamer
• flaky
• crumbly
• slight
• spindly
• crisp
• infirm
• crispy
• inflexible
• inelastic
• flakey
• tender
• eggshell
• crushable
• stiff
• shivery
• embrittled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• sturdy
• tough
• unbreakable
• substantial
• solid
• rigid
• hard
• compact
• unyielding
• firm
• resilient
• nonbreakable
• flexible
• infrangible
• elastic
• rubbery
• supple
• stretch
• springy
• rubberlike
• stretchable

2

as in sensitive

easily injured without careful handling

babies are fragile, so remember to care for them gently

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sensitive
• delicate
• frail
• weak
• vulnerable
• brittle
• tender
• soft
• feeble
• breakable
• friable
• tenuous
• flimsy
• puny
• susceptible
• perishable
• slight
• frangible
• crushable
• eggshell
• yielding
• unresistant
• resistless
• nonhardy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tough
• strong
• substantial
• solid
• durable
• hard
• sturdy
• robust
• resistant
• rugged
• sound
• hardy
• stiff
• firm
• stout
• unbreakable
• flinty
• hardened
• tempered
• strengthened
• nonbreakable
• infrangible
• toughened
• inured

3

as in small

small in degree

a fragile possibility that we might emerge from this fiasco unscathed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• small
• slim
• off
• remote
• outside
• negligible
• slight
• marginal
• minimal
• frail
• tiny
• minor
• little

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• large
• great
• significant
• distinct
• healthy
• substantial
• considerable
• sizable
• sizeable
• respectable
• goodly
• tidy
• largish

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fragile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fragile are brittle, crisp, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

In what contexts can brittle take the place of fragile?

The words brittle and fragile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of fragile?

Although the words crisp and fragile have much in common, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

Where would frangible be a reasonable alternative to fragile?

The words frangible and fragile can be used in similar contexts, but frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would friable be a good substitute for fragile?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragile, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized.

friable soil

Examples of fragile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Government officials had anticipated widespread power outages across the island, as Puerto Rico’s fragile electric grid has not been permanently rebuilt since Hurricane Maria razed it in 2017. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 14 Aug. 2024

Any movement by Netanyahu away from that stand would jeopardize his fragile alliance with Israel's far-right and could threaten his hold on the prime minister's office. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2024

The issue of heritage protection also came into play that year, when two Americans were fined around $800 for throwing rental scooters down the Spanish Steps, causing about $26,000 worth of damage to the fragile marble. —Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024

But director Terence Davies pulls the rug out quickly and shows how fragile and how tenuous a woman’s position can really be. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024