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

And in 1972, Californians voted to create the state Coastal Commission, to protect the state’s fragile and finite coastal lands. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

The film recounts the struggle of local communities to protect a fragile and vital ecosystem that also serves as their ancestral home. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026

Their defence is fragile and the midfield does not provide great cover. —Jack Lang, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026

The borders between real life and make-believe should be high, Larry concluded, because the emotions surrounding the former can easily kill the fragile art of the latter. —Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026