Synonyms of friable

friable

adjective

ˈfrī-ə-bəl 

as in brittle

having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure

sand dollars are friable, so handle them carefully

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brittle
• crisp
• crumbly
• fragile
• short
• flaky
• crispy
• crisped
• flakey
• brickle
• delicate
• embrittled
• crusty
• crunchy
• crackly
• breakable
• crispened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• elastic
• resilient
• pliable
• pliant
• strong
• sturdy
• tough

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of friable

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

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

What is Leaf Mold? Simply put, leaf mold is a valuable soil conditioner that can be made by leaving leaves to decompose into a crumbly, friable mulch or potting ingredient. —Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 7 Sep. 2023

The rock beneath the massive flood deposits was relatively friable volcanic rock, easily broken and carved. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2022

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