fragile

adjective

frag·​ile ˈfra-jəl How to pronounce fragile (audio)
-ˌjī(-ə)l
Synonyms of fragile
1
a
: easily broken or destroyed
a fragile vase
fragile bones
b
: constitutionally (see constitutionally sense 2a) delicate : lacking in vigor
a fragile child
2
: tenuous, slight
fragile hope
a fragile coalition
fragility
frə-ˈji-lə-tē How to pronounce fragile (audio)
noun

Synonyms of fragile

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fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily.

fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized.

friable soil

synonyms see in addition weak

Examples of fragile in a Sentence

Her health has always been very fragile. an artist with a fragile ego He is in an emotionally fragile state. The two countries have formed a fragile coalition.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Unsurprisingly, the idea of comically long private paths snaking through fragile wetlands so a lucky few can get to their boats wasn’t popular with the public. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026 For damaged or fragile hair, Velcro rollers avoid direct heat but can snag delicate strands, while hot rollers call for careful temperature control and heat protection. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026 Once regarded as fragile and inward-looking, China’s health system is now emerging as an ambitious innovation engine. — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by porous, fragile and less dense bones that are much more likely to break. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fragile

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fragile, borrowed from Latin fragilis, from frag-, variant stem of frangere "to break, shatter" + -ilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" (alteration of -ibilis -ible, originally by haplology after verb stems ending in a labial consonant) — more at break entry 1

First Known Use

1521, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragile was in 1521

Phrases Containing fragile

Rhymes for fragile

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Browse Nearby Words

Fragilaria
fragile
fragile fern
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Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragile. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fragile

adjective
frag·​ile ˈfraj-əl How to pronounce fragile (audio)
-ˌīl
: easily broken or destroyed : delicate
fragility
frə-ˈjil-ət-ē How to pronounce fragile (audio)
noun
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