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

Her health, her heart is fragile. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026

Her health, her heart, is fragile. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

The boyhood Palace fan’s physical profile was attractive, not least his ability to clear the ball from set-pieces — Palace have been particularly fragile in that regard of late. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

The party is attempting to establish itself as the responsible anchor of a fragile coalition — a role that demands ethical clarity, internal coherence, and strategic restraint. —Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026