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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fragile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fragile are brittle, crisp, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

In what contexts can brittle take the place of fragile?

The words brittle and fragile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of fragile?

Although the words crisp and fragile have much in common, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

Where would frangible be a reasonable alternative to fragile?

The words frangible and fragile can be used in similar contexts, but frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would friable be a good substitute for fragile?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragile, 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 fragile The more Macdonald resists mythologizing or summing up, the more John Lennon and Yoko Ono emerge as fragile, complex individuals on a journey together during uncertain times. Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025 The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that started as President Donald Trump took office collapsed last month when Israel re-launched its military operations and US and Israeli officials accused Hamas of rejecting a deal to extend it, which Hamas denied. Alex Marquardt, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025 How does the fragile terrain impact the Pac-12’s pursuit of the media rights deal required for the summer of 2026 and beyond? Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025 Tagovailoa is still trending upwards from a developmental standpoint, but needs to shed his fragile reputation. Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile
Adjective
  • The graceful curvature of the leather seatbacks and straps encasing the sofas were a marvel, somehow both sturdy and delicate.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Loose clusters of delicate, sweetly-scented flowers appear in April and May.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Concerns have been raised about DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk's companies, gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or experience.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Cooling, calming, and tailor-made for sensitive skin, this mask drapes delicately across your face to deliver a serious hit of cica (Centella asiatica) and allantoin—soothing redness and dryness in minutes.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, a consortium of private retirement-plan providers announced a collaboration to boost the portability of small retirement accounts.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The space consists of two levels—one for dancing and one for dining at small cocktail tables.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As the skin became more brittle, the hair fell out and the fatty layer beneath began to show more through the years, the white color faded, researchers said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • It's enriched with black castor oil to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair growth and coconut oil to hydrate dry and brittle strands.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This was the spring of 2020, however, and the impossibilities of international travel, and my dad’s frail health, delayed the journey.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The op-ed also followed Biden's frail performance against President Donald Trump in the June 27 presidential debate.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The blush duo contains two blush shades in one palette and has a slim, lightweight design that fits easily in a purse or makeup bag.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The slim margin means that if Griffin succeeds in throwing even a fraction of the ballots in the race out, the results could swing in his favor.
    Lucille Sherman, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At South Korea’s main international hub, Incheon International Airport, localizers were housed in structures made from easily breakable materials and thus not considered a safety risk, officials said.
    River Akira Davis, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Intraplate or deep quakes, like the 2001 Nisqually quake, cause less surface shaking. Subduction zone quakes are the most powerful. Get your home earthquake-ready by anchoring heavy furniture, water heaters and appliances and putting breakable things onto lower shelves.
    Christine Clarridge, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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