crisp 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrisp How to pronounce crisp (audio)
Definition of crispnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tidy
being clean and in good order a pretty, crisp bedspread for the guest room

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3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a crisp suggestion about what they could do with their boom box

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crisp

2 of 2

verb

as in to ripple

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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
There were numerous shades of blue inspired by the blue skies, crisp whites and tans. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025 One wore a crisp white T-shirt that looked expensive with black wide-leg trousers. —Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
This action creates a convection effect that mimics a deep fryer to crisp and brown your food. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 Alternatively, heat it in a toaster oven for 5 minutes to thaw and crisp the wrap in one go. —Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
  1. brittle
  2. tidy
  3. concise
  4. ripple
  5. short
  6. neat
  7. brief
  8. ruffle
Adjective
  • Carol is brittle and reserved, but Blanchett is its resilient heart.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The ivy on the wall behind the pool was brittle and charred, rubble littered the deck, and the water shone like a black mirror.
    — Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of brittle
Adjective
  • Crypto holders had the chance to make a tidy profit selling off some of their coins—despite the fact that the stockpile in the end simply included bitcoin and all other crypto assets seized by the government, rendering the details in Trump’s posts moot.
    — Ben Walsh, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The finale might be reflective of LaBruce’s own skepticism, specifically his disdain for large-scale movements that advocate for a tidy future and his preference for the ideas of French philosopher and poet Jean Genet.
    — P.E. Moskowitz, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of tidy
Adjective
  • This Side of the Island is a more concise and conceptual effort, compared to his last full-length, 2020’s The Loves of Your Life, which is a masterpiece of musical storytelling.
    — Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Keeping prices down Bartell, who is the president of Bartell Hotels and the chairman of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District, attributes the extended success of Humphreys to a concise plan.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of concise
Verb
  • The disappearance of their son ripples through an accomplished ensemble piece that also includes excellent work from Sarayu Blue, Jack Huston, and especially Ji-young Yoo, who nearly steals the whole show.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In Baltimore, meanwhile, economic effects could ripple.
    — Evan Bush, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of ripple
Adjective
  • Spaun had a 30-foot birdie putt for the win that stopped inches short.
    — Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The new deal would see Joby’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft used from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester airports for short trips to link up those regions, the companies said.
    — Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Mel’s check is a standard-TV version of what birth usually looks like: a quick duck under the blanket, with everything neat and covered up.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The shelves held neat rows of footwear, arranged according to designer.
    — André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of neat
Adjective
  • As a result, his answers are brief and not all that stimulating.
    — Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The brief hearing, which focused on thorny jurisdictional issues, drew hundreds of demonstrators to the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan to denounce the Saturday arrest of Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident who is married to an American citizen.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of brief
Verb
  • There’s a moment on the beach when Lochy ruffles his brother’s hair, and Saxon closes his eyes almost as if Lochlan’s a lover.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Cannon perfected courtside chic in a primarily black ensemble, which included a cropped black blazer with dramatic shoulders and cream-colored, ruffled accents near her wrists and neckline.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of ruffle

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Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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