Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective supple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of supple are elastic, flexible, resilient, and springy. While all these words mean "able to endure strain without being permanently injured," supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury.

supple leather

When is elastic a more appropriate choice than supple?

The words elastic and supple are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching.

an elastic waistband

When is it sensible to use flexible instead of supple?

While the synonyms flexible and supple are close in meaning, flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking.

flexible plastic tubing

Where would resilient be a reasonable alternative to supple?

While in some cases nearly identical to supple, resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed.

a resilient innersole

When can springy be used instead of supple?

The meanings of springy and supple largely overlap; however, springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape.

the cake is done when the top is springy

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 supple This is so clutch for lipstick lovers, who know that to pull off long-lasting, smooth wear you need a supple canvas. Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2025 But that’s certainly not the case with the leads, especially Corrin, who can look chic, gamine and supple as a birch tree in anything, as proven by their frequent modeling and catwalk gigs for Miu Miu and their ability to make the kookiest of outfits work on the red carpet. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 Commerce writer Julia Harrison has been testing the Fritz Hansen Series 7 office chair for the last few months and loves the supple leather upholstery and high-back seat. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2025 In addition to their individual benefits, these ingredients work together to boost the efficacy of other products in your routine and leave skin soft, supple, and radiant. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for supple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supple
Adjective
  • The refrigerated deliveries are flexible based on your schedule and feature eco-friendly packaging.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Crops are left unharvested in response to market conditions, but they could be marketed with connections to more flexible buyers.
    Ivanka Trump, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The collection includes the straight-leg Teddy in rigid and stretch fabrics; the ’90s inspired Gus with a relaxed and slouchy fit; the Jackson, a barrel-leg jean with a V-waist; the Kyle, a stretch flare; and the Leo, a straight-meets-barrel silhouette with a high rise.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This lack of performance honesty hinders Black women from course-correcting or demonstrating readiness for stretch roles.
    Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This led Liu to wonder if these pliant electronics might keep up with the mutable nature of embryonic brains.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 June 2025
  • Japan hasn’t been as pliant as Trump seemed to expect.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Fish 10 to 20 feet deep with plastic worms or jig and pigs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Charges previously alleged that the woman had placed the newborn in a plastic bag before throwing it out of the bathroom window onto concrete, the outlet reported.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two ultra-limber actors — Hassiem Muhammad and Ryan Sellers — in garish body makeup (and dance shoes) merge limbs and psyches for an electric demonstration of poetry in motion.
    Peter Marks, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023
  • For thousands of years, people have turned to yoga to feel more limber, release stress and rejuvenate their overall physical and mental health.
    Forrest Brown, CNN, 21 June 2022
Adjective
  • The economic environment remains foggy, with uncertainty around tariffs and a labor market that, while softening in some areas, remains remarkably resilient in others.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While growth is modest, from about 52,300 jobs in 2021 to 54,300 projected by 2030, these roles are essential to building climate-resilient infrastructure.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The resulting pollen is as pliable as Play-Doh, says Shahrudin Ibrahim, a research fellow in Cho’s lab who helped to develop the technique.
    Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Some might go so far as to suggest that Ufotable’s work approaches the pinnacle of what animation can achieve this decade, tapping into that infinite potential of cinema’s most pliable medium (your mileage will vary).
    David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This under-$50 pajama set has a wide leg silhouette, elastic waistband, and a button-up design to maximize comfort and layerability.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Supple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supple. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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