Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brittle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of brittle are crisp, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When could crisp be used to replace brittle?

The synonyms crisp and brittle are sometimes interchangeable, but crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

In what contexts can fragile take the place of brittle?

The meanings of fragile and brittle largely overlap; however, fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When would frangible be a good substitute for brittle?

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

frangible stone used for paving

When might friable be a better fit than brittle?

In some situations, the words friable and brittle are roughly equivalent. However, 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 brittle Natural oils: Many natural oils can help condition your lashes to keep them from getting dry and brittle. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 These scenarios would challenge AI agents to navigate prevailing themes about liberal international order and free trade that may prove brittle in the coming years. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 The revelation prompted further alarm over the future of the brittle truce and hostage-for-prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel. Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 While making an attractive ornamental tree, northern catalpa can be brittle in wind and under snow load. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brittle
Adjective
  • The collection was wrapped in fabrics such as grisaille, flannel, Prince of Wales, and ultra-soft virgin wool from Loro Piana and Ermenegildo Zegna in contrast to silks from Ratti, crisp duchesse and fluid double satin, and knitwear crafted in Cariaggi cashmere.
    WWD, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Fluid tannins, syrupy mouth feel, crisp yet slightly brittle acidity.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Her makeup, too, was equally icy, with a metallic silvery-white shadow brushed under her brow as a highlight and dramatic black eyeliner winged all the way out to the outer corner of her brows, plus a pair of light blue-gray contacts enhanced by majorly fluttery, lush lashes.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Dec. 2024
  • White cautioned those traveling north of Indianapolis this weekend, however, should be mindful of potentially snowier, icier road conditions.
    Christopher Cann, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Using a fork, cut in butter until flour mixture is crumbly.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The soup came with a side of crunchy tortilla chips fried in beef tallow, diced onions, chillies and crumbly cheese.
    Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • South of the Arctic’s polar vortex is the jet stream, a river of west to east air that flows five to nine miles above ground, and helps keep the pole’s cold air confined to the Arctic.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But as the lingerie giant negotiates around a more cautious consumer, colder weather and tariff uncertainty out of the Trump White House, Hillary Super’s longer-term plans are coming into focus.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This refusal could lead to a crisis with both Hamas and Egypt, the key mediator, at a delicate time for the already fragile truce.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Hours before talks began, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the cease-fire, a refusal that could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.
    Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Blue Ghost also plans to capture high-definition imagery of a total eclipse as the Earth blocks the sun just before a lunar sunset ushers in frigid lunar night on March 16.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • After weeks of frigid temperatures and wintry conditions, the Baltimore region is finally getting a break with warmer weather likely for the rest of this week.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • He was injured almost immediately in the fall of 2018 and didn’t return until February; by that time Cleveland was already in stage 1 of a painful (but, ultimately, short) rebuild.
    Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The digital operation includes brand sites with editorial content; websites; YouTube channels; SVOD platforms including A&E Crime Central, History Vault and Lifetime Movie Club; short form video creation; editorial newsletters; and dozens of social handles across Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • During the colder months, that uniform relies on a lightweight jacket to keep me comfortable on chilly LA mornings.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
  • On West 57th Avenue in Olde Town Arvada, a handful of people with backpacks and belongings gathered in front of the library and soaked in the sun on a recent chilly morning, including one accompanied by a small dog wearing a sporty green jacket.
    John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brittle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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