as in brittle
having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure sand dollars are friable, so handle them carefully

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How does the adjective friable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of friable are brittle, crisp, fragile, and frangible. While all these words mean "breaking easily," friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized.

friable soil

When is it sensible to use brittle instead of friable?

The words brittle and friable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

Where would crisp be a reasonable alternative to friable?

The meanings of crisp and friable largely overlap; however, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When is fragile a more appropriate choice than friable?

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

a fragile antique chair

When can frangible be used instead of friable?

While the synonyms frangible and friable are close in meaning, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

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 friable Texture comes into play here, as well, with wispy nests of friable katayifi topping each scallop. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 But there is more: a little way back from the water, knuckle-like boulders of sandstone or some other friable rock sharpen the ambience of a consecrated space. Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025 The soils are mainly Galestro, a type of very friable clay-schist composed of clay-limestone and sandy loam. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 The process of carefully removing the fossil from its rocky entombment involved freeing each fragment from a matrix of friable sediment using fine tools like dental picks and soft brushes, all while battling gusting sea winds and intermittent rain that threatened to compromise the fragile remains. Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 One of the biggest hazards after a fire is friable material, so an Ashbritt personnel keeps the debris wet at all times. Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 Foods that are rich in seasoning or flavor, like that delectable sweet potato casserole should probably be avoided as should any turkey that is on the bone as these bones are friable and can be easily crushed into sharp shards which can wreak havoc on a GI tract. Dr. Devon B. Smith, Baltimore Sun, 21 Nov. 2024 All beds are mulched to prevent water loss and to keep the soil friable. Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for friable
Adjective
  • If that architecture is leaky, expensive, and brittle, the more visible parts of the transition, batteries, windmills, and solar farms, are harder to deploy at scale.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The wood of sequoias is considered brittle, and few logs made it to the mill.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The crisp autumn air is finally starting to settle in at higher altitudes around the United States, which means the dazzling display of fall foliage isn't far behind.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
  • These dreamy waffles are crisp and golden on the outside; moist, light and fluffy on the inside.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Using 2 forks or a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Although the creaminess of the mac and cheese is strong on its own, the crumbly breakfast sausage adds another savory layer to the flavor profile.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Friable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/friable. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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