fragility

noun

1
as in exquisiteness
the state or quality of having a delicate structure we marveled at the fragility and yet the surprising strength of the bird's wing bones

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2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor the fragility of the abandoned baby bird

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fragility Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history – as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth – will remain with me always. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history, as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth, will remain with me always. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Where Forte’s wimpy Kevin is a send-up of human fragility, Cena’s Buddy has the shatterproof ego of the rooster Foghorn Leghorn, who also happens to be Acme’s CEO. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Leverage, funding fragility and severe distortions in capital allocation can do far more lasting economic damage than modest deviations of inflation or employment from target. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Summary Recent critical missile shortages highlight the fragility of traditional supply chains, optimized for stability but vulnerable to sudden demand or geopolitical shifts. — Dennis Mitzner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Global conflicts and the impact of climate change are driving up the costs of shipping worldwide, underlining concerns over the fragility of international supply chains and stoking inflation. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026 This is generally understood as a parable about the fragility of liberal democracy—the thin line between the rule of law and the law of the jungle. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The attacks underscored the fragility of security in the oil-rich country. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragility
  1. fineness
  2. weakness
  3. brittleness
  4. exhaustion
Noun
  • The fineness of the line between the two genres indicates that in her work overall, change is a matter of gradations.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • My matzo balls took twice as long to cook according to her fineness in the video.
    — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of fineness
Noun
  • Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Several investor rights firms are threatening class actions against into Suja Life after its stock plummeted following disappointing Q2 earnings and reduced guidance, attributed to grocery channel weakness.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Formulated for all hair types, the set is particularly ideal for addressing thinning, brittleness, and dullness.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • That brittleness, though, is exactly what has made Criston’s turn toward nihilism at the end of the second season, and now crystallized in episode five, so gratifying.
    — The Editors, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of brittleness
Noun
  • Economic exhaustion and an atmosphere of fear have left virtually no part of Iranian existence untouched.
    — Greg Dixon, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That means, for example, Jason and Lucia can gain or lose weight, build muscle and incur physical markers of exhaustion.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhaustion

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Cite this Entry

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

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