FRANGIBLE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of frangible are brittle , crisp , fragile , and friable . While all these words mean "breaking easily," frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy. // frangible stone used for paving

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

The meanings of brittle and frangible largely overlap; however, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness. // brittle bones

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

In some situations, the words crisp and frangible are roughly equivalent. However, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods. // crisp lettuce

Q: When can 'fragile' be used instead of 'frangible'?

The synonyms fragile and frangible are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling. // a fragile antique chair

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

Although the words friable and frangible have much in common, friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized. // friable soil

frangible

adjective

ˈfran-jə-bəl

Definition of frangible

as in fragile

easily broken frangible china teacups that were totally inappropriate for a child's birthday party

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How does the adjective frangible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of frangible are brittle, crisp, fragile, and friable. While all these words mean "breaking easily," frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy.

frangible stone used for paving

When would brittle be a good substitute for frangible?

The meanings of brittle and frangible largely overlap; however, brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness.

brittle bones

When is it sensible to use crisp instead of frangible?

In some situations, the words crisp and frangible are roughly equivalent. However, crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods.

crisp lettuce

When can fragile be used instead of frangible?

The synonyms fragile and frangible are sometimes interchangeable, but fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling.

a fragile antique chair

When could friable be used to replace frangible?

Although the words friable and frangible have much in common, 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 frangible But in the vast majority of cases, the planes come safely to a stop, saved in part by zones around runways that are supposed to contain only structures that are frangible, meaning designed to break easily upon impact. — Grace Moon, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The barrier at the edge of the runway at Muan International Airport did not appear to be frangible, or have the ability to break apart, according to video footage and expert analysis, something investigators are likely to focus on. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 Solid fences are safer today thanks to safety features like frangible pins and MIM clips that make a fence fall or collapse when hit. — Olivia Hampton, NPR, 5 June 2024 At 1,000 metres, a frangible bolt—which was supposed to detach explosively in the event of power loss to shed weight—broke off. — The Economist, 6 Sep. 2019 Now the team, led by Professor of Computer Vision Paul Rosin, is asking for more texts too fragile to be opened, hoping to ease the burden on historical researchers hesitant to examine the frangible objects. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frangible

Adjective

When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface, forcing both women to confront grief, faith, ambition, and the fragile bonds that hold a family together.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
The characters aren’t simply vulnerable—they’re contradictory and fragile.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fragile

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

Marcus called the procedure an important first step toward reducing risks during delicate brain operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Elordi’s soft-spoken performance, paired with his delicate and awkward features, provides a nice contrast with Brolin’s tree-stump obduracy.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of delicate

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frangibility

frangible

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“Frangible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frangible. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frangible

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