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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fragile Yet Antonia isn’t fragile; her forceful imagination bends the others to her will. Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025 When a terrorist attack threatens Korea's fragile peace, the former ambassador to the United Nations must team up with a mysterious special agent to uncover the source. PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025 British filmmaker Stephen Woolley (Carol, The Crying Game) has warned that tariffs, if imposed, could choke an already fragile indie sector. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025 Analysts say Xi was likely watching warily as Putin and Kim forged a new alliance that could complicate East Asia’s fragile security balance, draw more US focus to the region, and undercut Beijing’s efforts to manage stability on the Korean Peninsula. Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile
Adjective
  • How To Harvest Dill Flowers Dill blossoms deliver strong dill flavor in a delicate, pretty package.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Liu’s work often merges corsetry, delicate smocking, and floral motifs with a romantic yet subversive edge.
    Essence, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The automaker is the latest British company to be hit by a cybersecurity incident in recent months amid a surge in cyber and ransomware attacks globally, as increasingly sophisticated threat actors disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data.
    Pushkala Aripaka, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Stress has been building at the long-end of the yield curve, where investors are most sensitive to fiscal credibility.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Aalo expects to complete construction and reach criticality by July 4, 2026, a timeline the company says demonstrates the speed at which small, modular nuclear reactors can be deployed.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Snap up travel essentials, comfy pajamas, small kitchen must-haves, and more gems.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Deficiency symptoms may include thinning hair, skin rashes, or brittle nails.
    Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025
  • That leaves it friendless, brittle, and uncreative—and, paradoxically, that leaves it vulnerable when fighting, too.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After Arsenal took advantage of a frail Bayindir to score from yet another set piece, Raya stood strong to repel the hosts.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With a slim margin for error, little moments add up.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Republicans have a slim majority, and history is working against them.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Depending on your budget, this may mean only hiring movers to take care of a small portion of your more breakable, bulky or precious items, while teaming up with friends or family to take care of the rest.
    Talia Wexler, CNBC, 4 July 2025
  • Accidents in which planes hit breakable structures at the end of runways have tended not to be deadly: In October 2022, a Korean Air plane skidded off a runway in the Philippines amid heavy rain and collided with a metal structure.
    Grace Moon, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The three-game series will begin Thursday and conclude Sunday, with an off-day Saturday to accommodate a World Cup contest.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
  • The switch from an off-guard island full of hotties to an inbox full of DMs must be the most disorienting experience for a Love Island USA cast member.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fragile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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