ductile

adjective

Definition of ductilenext
as in stretch
technical capable of being bent or pulled into different shapes ductile iron

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ductile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ductile are adaptable, malleable, plastic, pliable, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When can adaptable be used instead of ductile?

The words adaptable and ductile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When would malleable be a good substitute for ductile?

While the synonyms malleable and ductile are close in meaning, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

Where would plastic be a reasonable alternative to ductile?

The meanings of plastic and ductile largely overlap; however, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is it sensible to use pliable instead of ductile?

While in some cases nearly identical to ductile, pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

When might pliant be a better fit than ductile?

Although the words pliant and ductile have much in common, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 ductile The all-aluminum M1s are apparently hard enough to handle ice but ductile enough to not easily chip or shatter when hitting rocks. —Cameron Martindell, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 The majority of Surprise’s water line system is made of PVC and ductile iron, Water Resource Management Director Mike Boule explained. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024 Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of fragments of the earth's rigid outermost shell on an inner ductile layer. —David Bressan, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 At the atomic level, there are principally four phases of auto steel, including the hardest yet most brittle, called martensite, and the more ductile austenite. —John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ductile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ductile
  1. stretch
  2. pliant
  3. malleable
  4. plastic
  5. pliable
  6. adaptable
  7. elastic
Adjective
  • Each yoga pose, stretch, or walk to the laundry room will get her even further toward her fitness goals.
    — Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Mark Ix, Advance Denim’s director of North American marketing, said Infinity enables a new level of stretch performance with exceptional yields and comfort.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of stretch
Adjective
  • Political parties have been dissolved by a pliant judiciary.
    — Sun Narin, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • During subsequent decades, the Soviets and its pliant regime were defeated, the country was racked by civil war, and various Islamist groups became ascendant, including the Mujahedin, Taliban, al-Qaeda, and Isis-Khorasan.
    — Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Definition of pliant
Adjective
  • Unlike most bias-mitigation efforts that prioritize English, this dataset is malleable, with human translations for testing a wider breadth of languages and cultures.
    — Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Studies have also shown that physicians’ imaging behaviors are malleable.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of malleable
Adjective
  • Using tweezers, remove the stickers from the plastic backing of the seeds or beads.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The wireless charging pad for mobile devices is now capable of 15 W, and the much-disliked capacitive multifunction steering wheel has been replaced by a wheel with plastic buttons.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of plastic
Adjective
  • Every seam, hole, etc. was sealed with a gasket or with a special acoustic caulk that stays pliable for decades.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Place lasagna noodles in a 9- x 13- inch baking dish; cover with hot or boiling water to submerge and set aside to soak until noodles are pliable, about 30 minutes, agitating noodles occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
    — Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of pliable
Adjective
  • Long-Term Resilience Prioritizing upskilling prepares you for a resilient future with adaptable employees ready to take on evolving roles.
    — Danny Asnani, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This tough, adaptable evergreen is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and requires no pruning or pampering.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • In addition to fabric and fit, the linen pants have two of my other must-have summer features: an elastic waistband and pockets.
    — Shea Simmons, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • This belt has a reflective pocket and logo on the elastic waistband to increase visibility and safety in the dusk and dark.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of elastic

Browse Nearby Words

duct
ductile
ductility
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ductile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ductile. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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