crisp 1 of 2

1
as in brittle
having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure the bag of crisp cookies had a lot of crumbs on the bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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crisp

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crisp contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crisp are brittle, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can brittle be used instead of crisp?

Although the words brittle and crisp have much in common, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is fragile a more appropriate choice than crisp?

In some situations, the words fragile and crisp are roughly equivalent. 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 crisp?

The words frangible and crisp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When could friable be used to replace crisp?

The meanings of friable and crisp largely overlap; 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 crisp
Adjective
What to wear for eating linguine alle vongole with friends on a crisp sunny afternoon in New York City? Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025 Now, in a crisp gray suit with his hair parted neatly to the side, Ou was about to ring Nasdaq’s closing bell to celebrate Fly’s IPO. Jesse Coburn, Curbed, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
For crusty bread, take off the foil and pop the loaf in the oven for no more than five minutes to crisp up the crust. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025 And deep, rich soundtracks, crackling and crisping with the hum of the nascent digital era. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crisp 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
Adjective
  • The world is a brittle place, with disease outbreaks, wars in Gaza and Ukraine and climate change adding to the anxiety.
    Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Because of the intense heat produced by the eruption, the scrolls resemble brittle lumps of charcoal.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But for households short on space, a bed that shares the same tidy footprint as a standard crib (and makes use of the same mattress and sheets) can be a godsend.
    Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Occasionally there are only 10 spare minutes in a day for cleaning. Luckily, according to our cleaning experts, that is more than enough time to make a visible dent in the chaos and help keep your home tidy.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Another area of potential improvement is customization to align with a provider's writing style — concise versus verbose — or way of thinking.
    Erin Brodwin, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Grab an Excel spreadsheet and create a concise budget that includes savings.
    Essence, Essence, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The moment left onlookers stunned and the aftershocks have continued to ripple throughout Spain and the globe.
    Emily Olsen, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Keeping these tax credits in place means Pennsylvanians can continue to access essential care and protect themselves from medical debt—benefits that ripple through our families, communities, and the entire healthcare system.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the preference was shorter contracts, Miami opted for Wiggins instead of trying to create trade packages that would leave them with mostly or all expiring contracts for average players. 4).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Many conspiracy theorists have complained about Black history being relegated to the calendar’s shortest month.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Twist in a neat midi knot or pin in a looser twist for a personalized style.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
  • But the neatest summation is probably that Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are returning to their natural places in the Bundesliga.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The scripted description of the library was very brief, with just one interesting detail — during installation, the new shelves opened up, like a flower.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The first Elam ending finish was great, giving us a dramatic (and brief) fix to the All-Star Game’s erosion.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The actress sat front row at one of the most coveted tickets of NYFW, donning a dramatic white dress – a v-neck, A-line frock with buttons down the center and ruffled detailing at the waistline, topped with a pastel teal feather and fur coat with taupe swirls draped around her shoulders.
    Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Euphoria star, 26, rocked a sheer, ruffled pantsuit with a long, lacy train; plunging neckline; and frills that created both a peplum and drop-sleeve effect.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near crisp

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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