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

Related Words

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

But crisp tortilla layers arrived smothered with vegan cheddar and fresh, vine-ripe tomatoes. — Amanda Eyre Ward, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026 His work is crisp, playful, and nostalgic, replicating the exact fonts and presentations of centuries-old stylings for businesses and public parks alike. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

This summer, the fashion set is gravitating towards more versatile and creative options, ranging from midi skirts to crisp Bermuda shorts. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 19 July 2026 From speckled bowls to crisp white trays, these pieces are both durable and endlessly versatile. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp

Adjective

Peanut brittle in individual packages lack the name of producer and ingredients.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Robotics is already operating at scale in some structured environments, while remaining expensive, brittle or difficult to integrate in others.

— Rodrigo Madanes, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

Britain wants to keep space tidy, so the UK Space Agency (UKSA) has awarded a £61-million (US$81-million) contract to remove two defunct UK satellites from orbit between 2029 and 2032 using manipulator spacecraft launched from the Shetlands.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
And the service is unparalleled, including bathrooms that are cleaned after every use—our own houses aren’t that tidy.

— Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of tidy

Adjective

This excellent volume contains a series of concise and authoritative essays on key aspects of the Ghetto’s early history, written by leading experts in the field.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Gemini needed 11 seconds to respond despite delivering a more concise, straight-to-the-point answer.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of concise

Verb

There are rippling gasps, drums, strings, sax, a vaguely Latin guitar, a sample of a woman talking about getting her hair done.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Lopez is part of a shift rippling through Latino communities across the country.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

Why beef tallow matters right now The payoff, according to the chains and the food writers covering them, is crispier fries, richer flavor and, for a growing segment of customers, a cooking fat that fits the current anti-seed-oil mood.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026
Via Pignasecca 17 Pioneering, award-winning pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo is known for his particularly digestible dough, which is lighter and crispier than the norm, thanks to the higher percentage of water to flour.

— Nicky Swallow, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of crispy

Adjective

But scientific progress rarely stays within neat national boxes for long, even when governments would prefer it to.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
This is a great mezcal to sip neat, and the brand recommends trying it in a rocks glass to reveal strong agave notes, while a cordial glass amplifies the flavors picked up during barrel aging.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of neat

Adjective

Yet now, after brief outbreaks in Texas during the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016, the dangerous parasite has returned.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
After Jahan Dotson’s chance at a first impression came and went with only one catch for 19 yards in a season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Falcons’ receiver shared a brief chat with president of football Matt Ryan.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Verb

The publication of the book, days before Blazy’s spring 2027 show at the Grand Palais, predictably ruffled some feathers at Chanel.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Or maybe Pitt simply wanted to get his Jack London on, traipsing throughout gorgeous natural terrain and ruffling his co-star’s fur in between fending off feral wolves and navigating impromptu whitewater rafting trips sans the raft.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruffle

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“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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