Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective frangible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frangible are brittle, crisp, fragile, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would brittle be a good substitute for frangible?

The meanings of brittle and frangible largely overlap; however, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of frangible?

In some situations, the words crisp and frangible are roughly equivalent. However, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can fragile be used instead of frangible?

The synonyms fragile and frangible are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When could friable be used to replace frangible?

Although the words friable and frangible have much in common, 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 frangible The barrier at the edge of the runway at Muan International Airport did not appear to be frangible, or have the ability to break apart, according to video footage and expert analysis, something investigators are likely to focus on. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 Solid fences are safer today thanks to safety features like frangible pins and MIM clips that make a fence fall or collapse when hit. Olivia Hampton, NPR, 5 June 2024 If the boat does not stop, the Interceptor pulls alongside and the agent fires with disintegrating frangible ammunition into the boat’s engine. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2021 Nagel pumped the shotgun and chambered the first frangible round. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2021 At 1,000 metres, a frangible bolt—which was supposed to detach explosively in the event of power loss to shed weight—broke off. The Economist, 6 Sep. 2019 Now the team, led by Professor of Computer Vision Paul Rosin, is asking for more texts too fragile to be opened, hoping to ease the burden on historical researchers hesitant to examine the frangible objects. Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2018 Details needed to be worked out, such as a requirement that school guns fire only frangible bullets, which break apart into small pieces and are unlikely to pass through victims, as a way to limit the danger to innocent students. Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 19 May 2018 Ascendance International was exhibiting its trademark frangible bullets with a full-auto AR-15. Elliott Woods, The New Republic, 16 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frangible
Adjective
  • The Chinese economy slowed in the third quarter of this year, its property market remains in a fragile state and consumer confidence hasn’t quite recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Watch on Deadline The result is a slickly polished slice of mainstream entertainment that portrays the city’s legal system as a precious yet fragile institution.
    James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And that this age of darkness will pass the way winters Pass when strong sap rises under the brittle bark.
    Czeslaw Milosz, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
  • That first orgasm, a brittle, unenthusiastic moan rippling as the A24 logo fills the screen, isn’t so much experienced as performed.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And all of these are formulated in a way that is gentle enough not to aggravate the delicate skin around your neck.
    Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Juniper is present but balanced with rooty and slightly floral notes, followed by a creamy mouthfeel and a delicate spice finish.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near frangible

Cite this Entry

“Frangible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frangible. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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