brittle

adjective

ˈbri-tᵊl How to pronounce brittle (audio)
Definition of brittlenext
1
as in crisp
having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brittle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of brittle are crisp, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When could crisp be used to replace brittle?

The synonyms crisp and brittle are sometimes interchangeable, but crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

In what contexts can fragile take the place of brittle?

The meanings of fragile and brittle largely overlap; 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 brittle?

While the synonyms frangible and brittle are close in meaning, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When might friable be a better fit than brittle?

In some situations, the words friable and brittle are roughly equivalent. 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 brittle As a result, protein deficiency may lead to many symptoms, such as brittle hair and nails, mood changes, muscle weakness, and getting sick more often. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 13 June 2025 Like a brittle leaf spiraling down a garden path, or the last cigarette passed between friends. —arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025 In extreme cold, the plastic frames can become brittle and break. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 But underneath the sleek interface is brittle architecture: outdated systems, duplicated routes and blind spots no AI can patch. —Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brittle
  1. crisp
  2. icy
  3. crumbly
  4. cold
  5. fragile
  6. frigid
  7. short
  8. chilly
Adjective
  • The new driver display is crisp and easy to see, a head up display delivers all the key data points right in your field of vision and chrome buttons that surround the inner portion of the steering wheel can be tapped for things like adaptive cruise control and or to activate Spirit assistance.
    — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Its off-axis viewing is just OK, but its mini LED backlight does a good job of creating crisp images and deep blacks.
    — Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
Definition of crisp
Adjective
  • Gelato is very similar to ice cream, but only relies on milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter, icier texture than traditional homemade ice cream.
    — Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
  • Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.
    — Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Add melted butter and vanilla; stir until a crumbly mixture forms.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • Consider the saucy, crumbly meals that will be shared on its surface as well.
    — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2025
Definition of crumbly
Adjective
  • For evening or colder climates, go with the Parallel Pant.
    — Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Everyone’s temperature preferences differ—some sleep hot, others cold.
    — Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • They’ve been counted on to fix what breaks, carry what slips, hold what’s fragile.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Unlike other thin, fragile flats that offer little wear before falling apart, these are reinforced with Vionic’s trademark cushioning, a removable insert, and premium upper materials.
    — Kayla Blanton, People.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • Resilience was what kept Di Caprio’s Glass alive in the frigid temperatures of the American wilderness.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • After a few frigid weeks, February concluded on a mercifully warm note.
    — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    — Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Families can also listen to short episodes of the Cow Tales Podcast and find more secret missions.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • The tour included a chilly ice-cool tunnel, set up to mirror the cooling effect of Air 10's Ice Cooling tech.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 July 2025
  • On a chilly night in April 2023, Charlotte Walker got a text message.
    — Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 16 July 2025
Definition of chilly

Browse Nearby Words

britches
brittle
brittleness
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Cite this Entry

“Brittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brittle. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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