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
• flimsy
• short
• shaky
• dainty
• friable
• gossamer
• flaky
• crumbly
• slight
• spindly
• crisp
• infirm
• crispy
• inflexible
• inelastic
• 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
• respectable
• tidy
• goodly
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fragile

Iranian drones on Wednesday struck a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport, killing at least one person, in the latest test of the fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 June 2026

Talks to end the war have yet to gain clear traction, casting doubt on a fragile ceasefire. —Claudia Grisales, NPR, 3 June 2026

But that compact is fragile and untested, and aspiring for a more equitable city will require us to expel the bad blood of the Eighties. —Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026

Is the clothing made of an extremely fragile fabric, such as silk or lace? —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026