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

Examples 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
Return the pan to the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, without flipping, until the cauliflower florets are golden brown and crisp around the edges. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024 Checkered Chef Wire Cooling Rack Allowing cookies to cool properly before icing is the key to creating crisp borders, and the best way to do that is to transfer them to a wire cooling rack after baking. Maggie Horton, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The gnocchi gains loads of flavor when crisped in a pan, so skip boiling it and sauté in butter and olive oil until golden brown. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 In addition to crisping up food without a vat of fat, the nifty gadget also roasts, dehydrates, and reheats meals in a matter of minutes. Clara McMahon, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crisp 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
Adjective
  • If your hair is dry, brittle, or dull, use this to bring back that luster and bounce.
    Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
  • For four weekends through Dec. 22, attendees can walk through the Square lined with vendors offering five golden rings (and permanent jewelry), Blitzen’s BBQ, Christmas tamales, or even bacon brittle if figgy pudding isn’t your thing.
    Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Golden Boy 5 Tips for Keeping Your House Clean With Pets Indeed, keeping the house clean and tidy as a pet owner is a major task by itself, never mind with a hyperactive puppy around.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The set also comes with an organizer to keep your cabinets tidy.
    Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Anika Dhar My opening note at final Tribal will be clear and concise.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Families can type or speak questions into a chat box, and Allison responds immediately with concise, reliable answers.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • On all four sides of the full-block building, greenish columns line up along the sidewalk in sets of rippling triplets, drawing the eye upward to a subtly articulated green terra-cotta grid.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 Dec. 2024
  • While many Catholic churches ring small bells for auditory cues, the deep vibrations of the drum beat ripple through the wooden pews of this Dunning neighborhood chapel, a tactile prompt for its predominantly deaf and hard of hearing congregation.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • My niece Maddy, however, has her phone firmly in hand, a short distance from her face.
    Terry Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Most canines can go on walks if the temperature doesn't fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but those with shorter coats will be more sensitive, according to the website Dogster.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But Telegram has always come across as a secure alternative to those other mainstream platforms, which is a neat example of the power of marketing.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • How to Grow Plants from Cuttings to Fill More Pots for Free Pruning Rainbow Eucalyptus Periodic pruning will keep rainbow eucalyptus neat and at a manageable size.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With Bill Belichick set to prowl the sidelines again after a brief post-Pats cooldown period, the 72-year-old mastermind joins an elite club of former head coaches who’ve used media as a launching pad for a return trip to the X’s and O’s.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Anticipation without hesitation seems to be the style on view in my limited demo, yet there are still plenty of other examples in WIRED's brief ride.
    Ben Oliver, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Outfitted with long sleeves, a V-neckline, elastic waistband, and ruffled hem, this mini is bound to turn heads.
    Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
  • In Congress Kash Patel is getting a frosty reception: © AP President-elect Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI — suggesting Trump will force out current FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his 10-year term — has ruffled some feathers on Capitol Hill.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near crisp

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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