ductile

adjective

Definition of ductilenext
as in stretch
technical capable of being bent or pulled into different shapes ductile iron

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ductile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ductile are adaptable, malleable, plastic, pliable, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When can adaptable be used instead of ductile?

The words adaptable and ductile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When would malleable be a good substitute for ductile?

While the synonyms malleable and ductile are close in meaning, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

Where would plastic be a reasonable alternative to ductile?

The meanings of plastic and ductile largely overlap; however, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is it sensible to use pliable instead of ductile?

While in some cases nearly identical to ductile, pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

When might pliant be a better fit than ductile?

Although the words pliant and ductile have much in common, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 ductile The all-aluminum M1s are apparently hard enough to handle ice but ductile enough to not easily chip or shatter when hitting rocks. —Cameron Martindell, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 The majority of Surprise’s water line system is made of PVC and ductile iron, Water Resource Management Director Mike Boule explained. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024 Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of fragments of the earth's rigid outermost shell on an inner ductile layer. —David Bressan, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 At the atomic level, there are principally four phases of auto steel, including the hardest yet most brittle, called martensite, and the more ductile austenite. —John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ductile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ductile
  1. stretch
  2. pliant
  3. malleable
  4. plastic
  5. pliable
  6. adaptable
  7. elastic
Adjective
  • Additionally, Korkmaz said stretch fabrics are making a strong comeback, reminiscent of the early 2000s, but reimagined with current technology.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Take Breaks Throughout The Day Taking a pause every 50 minutes to relax, stretch, meditate or engage in something enjoyable has been a game-changer for me.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of stretch
Adjective
  • With a pliant Congress, Trump is using his office to benefit his family’s business interests, former prosecutors and ethics lawyers say.
    — Natasha Frost, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • For all the talk and research that has gone into exploiting graphene’s pliant properties for use in wearable and flexible electronics, most of the polymer composites it has been mixed with to date have been on the hard and inflexible side.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2016
Definition of pliant
Adjective
  • How our perceptions of identity can be malleable depending on the surroundings or circumstances.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Lamar, arguably in the midst of the most incredible run in hip-hop history, appears thrice on the project and is pretty malleable, sliding seamlessly into Carti’s orbit.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of malleable
Adjective
  • But that’s not the case with all Affiliated Food’s suppliers —several have already notified the company of price increases because of tariffs, including bananas and canned tuna, as well as plastic utensils.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The pieces had come from the beach in Hawaii, where Dr. Garcia and others collected 1,800 pounds of plastic debris and 500 pounds of netting.
    — Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of plastic
Adjective
  • This was an actor with a marvelous, pliable face, not necessarily movie-star handsome but made up of bits and pieces of star quality: the cleft chin, the ready smile, the slightly doughy nose that somehow made his face look comically regal.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Flint The cellulose also underpins a more versatile, pliable battery structure, allowing Flint to make batteries in different forms.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of pliable
Adjective
  • Chenier said Family First Center is trying to be adaptable in the event that federal funding is cut.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Lean, efficient, and adaptable organizations will thrive.
    — Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • Made from a stretchy, breathable polyester and spandex blend that won’t restrict your movement or dig into your skin, the thick elastic waistband further contributes to the ease of these simple lounge pants.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Rather than consolidating around a single character type, Kilmer kept his brand elastic—able to stretch into action comedy, high fantasy, and stylized drama without breaking.
    — Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of elastic

Browse Nearby Words

duct
ductile
ductility
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Cite this Entry

“Ductile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ductile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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