CRISP Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'crisp' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crisp are brittle , fragile , frangible , and friable . While all these words mean "breaking easily," crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods. // crisp lettuce

Q: When can 'brittle' be used instead of 'crisp'?

Although the words brittle and crisp have much in common, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness. // brittle bones

Q: When is 'fragile' a more appropriate choice than 'crisp'?

In some situations, the words fragile and crisp are roughly equivalent. However, fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling. // a fragile antique chair

Q: When would 'frangible' be a good substitute for 'crisp'?

The words frangible and crisp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy. // frangible stone used for paving

Q: When could 'friable' be used to replace 'crisp'?

The meanings of friable and crisp largely overlap; however, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized. // friable soil

crisp 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkrisp

Definition of crisp

as in brittle

having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure the bag of crisp cookies had a lot of crumbs on the bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tidy

being clean and in good order a pretty, crisp bedspread for the guest room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a crisp suggestion about what they could do with their boom box

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crisp

2 of 2

verb

as in to ripple

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crisp contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crisp are brittle, fragile, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can brittle be used instead of crisp?

Although the words brittle and crisp have much in common, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is fragile a more appropriate choice than crisp?

In some situations, the words fragile and crisp are roughly equivalent. 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 crisp?

The words frangible and crisp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When could friable be used to replace crisp?

The meanings of friable and crisp largely overlap; 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 crisp

Adjective

Try it with casual flip-flops and a knit slung around the waist for off-duty cool; with jelly sandals and a denim jacket for an irreverent twist; or with suede flats and a crisp shirt for understated elegance. — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Hubble may have much greater sensitivity and capture more crisp images than Swift, but the large space telescope can take one or two days to reposition itself to point at a target of interest, Cenko said. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Verb

Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and bake until the edges of the pasta are crisped, the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026 Increase oven temperature to 425°F to crisp the casings. — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

Maybe that's why, in a moment when the country feels eggshell brittle, riding has become such an essential outlet for me—a way to turn my rage into forward motion.

— Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Containment actions should be proportional, reversible where possible and informed by multiple signals rather than a single brittle heuristic.

— Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

Start with a tidy desk and a glass of water, then batch related tasks so your focus stays strong through the afternoon.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
So a corporate statement or a recruiting slogan or a tidy values page doesn't automatically carry weight with a Gen Z candidate.

— Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of tidy

Adjective

Donna Kelce, mother of Travis and Jason, gave a concise reaction to the wedding while speaking with Macy's at the company's Fourth of July event in New York.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Then, when regular channels deny your claim, send a polite, concise email to the company’s executives.

— Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Definition of concise

Verb

Hearing loss may happen in one person's ears, but its effects ripple through every relationship.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 29 June 2026
Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have demonstrated how quickly geopolitical instability can ripple through global energy markets, supply chains and inflation expectations.

— Nosa Omoigui, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

Things settled down quickly after that, though the brief dustup ended with Contreras, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Mikolas being ejected.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
The ordinance marks a brief respite in the monthslong scramble to adapt to the broad changes brought by SB 79.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of brief

Verb

Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Definition of ruffle

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“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of crisp

adjective

verb

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