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

The biggest challenges, its designers say, were mimicking the fade from crisp morning rays to bright noon light to a soft evening glow, and creating a sense of depth to conjure the distant sky. — Emma Barker, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 The lettuce was crisp, the tomatoes added a welcome juiciness and the combination of meats and provolone delivered plenty of savory flavor. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 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

Aging humans, on the other hand, are more like peanut brittle.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

One of the earlier protests in the South Bay saw a tidy column of around 50 protesters walk south on the boardwalk connecting Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
For pickup owners, this approach can be particularly useful because a tidy cabin means less time searching for essentials and less clutter competing for valuable space.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 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

Reactions have rippled throughout the extended web of DWTS personnel and alums, and the latest to weigh in is Gleb Savchenko, a seasoned pro who sat out this entire season after his own share of controversy.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2026
With resurgent inflation and traders weighing the Fed's next move, any signal on the rate path could ripple through the equities, bond and currency markets.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripple

Adjective

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
Chicken specialists like Chick-fil-A, Popeyes and Raising Cane's already hand-bread or batter their chicken for a crispier exterior and better taste.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of crispy

Adjective

The back frizz is more confined, enclosed in the semi-neat bun.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
To make your pencil skirt look more street style in 2026, swap a blazer for a bomber, a laptop bag bag for a neat top-handle bag and a silk blouse for a crew-neck jumper.

— Emma Spedding, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of neat

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The questions came after Zacharia made a brief debut to the media on Tuesday, taking just three questions from reporters after reading off a script.

— Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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