Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective frangible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frangible are brittle, crisp, fragile, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would brittle be a good substitute for frangible?

The meanings of brittle and frangible largely overlap; however, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of frangible?

In some situations, the words crisp and frangible are roughly equivalent. However, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can fragile be used instead of frangible?

The synonyms fragile and frangible are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When could friable be used to replace frangible?

Although the words friable and frangible have much in common, 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 frangible Japanese officials confirmed that localizer structures near runways were sufficiently frangible. Grace Moon, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The barrier at the edge of the runway at Muan International Airport did not appear to be frangible, or have the ability to break apart, according to video footage and expert analysis, something investigators are likely to focus on. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 Solid fences are safer today thanks to safety features like frangible pins and MIM clips that make a fence fall or collapse when hit. Olivia Hampton, NPR, 5 June 2024 At 1,000 metres, a frangible bolt—which was supposed to detach explosively in the event of power loss to shed weight—broke off. The Economist, 6 Sep. 2019 Now the team, led by Professor of Computer Vision Paul Rosin, is asking for more texts too fragile to be opened, hoping to ease the burden on historical researchers hesitant to examine the frangible objects. Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2018 Details needed to be worked out, such as a requirement that school guns fire only frangible bullets, which break apart into small pieces and are unlikely to pass through victims, as a way to limit the danger to innocent students. Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 19 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frangible
Adjective
  • The movie flattening Carrie into someone downtrodden and fragile, rather than standoffish and conflicted, makes the whole resolution feel a little too clean.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Acts of violence have shown how fragile coexistence can be, and how quickly fear can replace understanding.
    Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, these materials are brittle at room temperature, rapidly oxidize, and fail between 600°C (1112°F) to 700°C (1292°F) when exposed to oxygen.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
  • More seriously, the edges were damaged and brittle, and loss of letters at the beginning and end of lines continued long after the date of the fire itself.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In a frantic but delicate rescue, captured on images and video reviewed by CNN, a policeman dug away the packed earth.
    Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Avanova Casual Tie Neck Blouse This tie-neck blouse is the perfect blend of modern and vintage with its bishop sleeves and a delicate bow tied along the collar.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frangible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frangible. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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