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

Relevance

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

The question fascinated David Hilbert, a renowned mathematician who had devoted much of his life to rebuilding physics on a sturdy foundation of crisp axioms. — Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 For a classic exterior, the designer loves pairing a black roof with a crisp warm white or a soft warm greige for a more relaxed feel. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Much of the cooking here will happen skin-side down to allow the filet to crisp up. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 29 June 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

Many of the blades made late in the war were rushed through production, and many slipped through that were too brittle or too soft.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
That moisturizing combination can benefit dry, brittle strands, too, since better lubricated hair creates less friction—and potentially less tangling and mechanical breakage—during brushing and styling.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

In a statement, Labrador told the Idaho Statesman that the law clearly states both offices are responsible for writing clear and concise explanations of voter choices on ballot initiatives.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
Longer messages Many providers would suggest clear, concise messages from their patients.

— Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of concise

Verb

Her light ripples and will forever ripple, and will shine even brighter now.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

For all the conservative positioning of Anne as a rebuttal to more urban, racially diverse, multicultural programming…Anne had more significance than this neat divide between contemporary culture and conservative history.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
As of this writing, the Rockies are at a perfectly neat 62-100 pace.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of neat

Adjective

Parton died Tuesday at 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Previous research has shown that on average, one death is prevented for every 230 naloxone kits distributed, so even this brief ban may have resulted in several preventable overdose deaths.

— Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

Verb

The Shards will be yet another chance to collapse the line between real life and life onscreen, not to mention an opportunity to ruffle some feathers of the rigid cultural establishment in the process.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Similar to Musk’s past real estate projects in Texas, including towering metal gates around his West Lake Hills compound, the mogul’s latest venture has ruffled the feathers of some locals.

— India Roby, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Browse Nearby Words

crisis

crisp

crisped

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of crisp

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes