FRAGILE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of fragile are brittle , crisp , frangible , and friable . While all these words mean "breaking easily," fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling. // a fragile antique chair

Q: In what contexts can 'brittle' take the place of 'fragile'?

The words brittle and fragile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness. // brittle bones

Q: When is it sensible to use 'crisp' instead of 'fragile'?

Although the words crisp and fragile have much in common, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods. // crisp lettuce

Q: Where would 'frangible' be a reasonable alternative to 'fragile'?

The words frangible and fragile can be used in similar contexts, but frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy. // frangible stone used for paving

Q: When would 'friable' be a good substitute for 'fragile'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragile , friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized. // friable soil

fragile

adjective

ˈfra-jəl

Definition of fragile

as in delicate

easily broken attaching the beautiful but fragile ornaments to the Christmas tree is always a touchy operation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sensitive

easily injured without careful handling babies are fragile, so remember to care for them gently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a fragile possibility that we might emerge from this fiasco unscathed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fragile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fragile are brittle, crisp, frangible, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

In what contexts can brittle take the place of fragile?

The words brittle and fragile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of fragile?

Although the words crisp and fragile have much in common, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

Where would frangible be a reasonable alternative to fragile?

The words frangible and fragile can be used in similar contexts, but frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would friable be a good substitute for fragile?

While in some cases nearly identical to fragile, 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 fragile Outside the metal armor of his notorious Honda Pilot, Jerry Ross is a fragile man. — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Southern California’s fragile coastline is being transformed one storm at a time by record-setting king tides and storm surges. — David Hickey, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026 Brown said some people began treating him differently after the injury, viewing him as fragile or broken. — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 El Niño patterns also affect lake whitefish, which Godwin says rely on ice to protect their fragile eggs. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fragile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragile

Adjective

Instead of relying on a gritty scrub (which can be harsh on delicate lip skin), Obagi’s Lip Therapy AHA+PHA Smoothing Micro-Peel uses three exfoliating acids—glycolic, lactic, and gluconolactone—to gently loosen buildup and smooth rough texture.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
In Shanghai, a look that defines the cultural moment is quickly emerging, with delicate fabrics and softer silhouettes channeling Chloé’s 1970s bohemian chic taking the lead.

— Denni Hu, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of delicate

Adjective

Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.

— Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

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

An individualized exercise and diet program can improve their chances of survival while on the waiting list, a study published Wednesday in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found, with the frailest patients often benefiting the most.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
In the novels, Violet is described as a small, frail cadet with dark black hair subtly streaked with silver who requires significantly more dragon-riding practice and precision than her peers.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

In contrast, the slim, circular tabletop keeps the design feeling light and airy despite measuring a generous 16 inches across.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026
Baseball rosters are large and unwieldy; the margins between success and failure are slim and hard to control for.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of slim

Adjective

Sets with unbreakable backboards and breakaway rims are the best type for children because breakable boards and rigid rims can lead to the little ones hurting their fingers.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of breakable

Adjective

For the first time, off-year elections have attracted more cash than was spent to win the presidential race two years earlier.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
An off week for both teams provides them ample time to prepare, and both have something to prove.

— PJ Green October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of off

Browse Nearby Words

fracturing

fragile

fragility

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Style

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragile. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fragile

adjective

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