crisp 1 of 2

1
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

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crisp

2 of 2

verb

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 finish is crisp and refreshing with a lingering mineral note. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025 Black-and-white night vision was crisp and detailed, as was color night vision when the lights were activated. PCMAG, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
On the contrary, excess moisture from rinsing can prevent the skin from crisping up during roasting or grilling, leading to less desirable results. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025 Reverse sear: This method cooks the roast slowly in a low oven and then gives it a blast of heat at the end to sear and crisp the outer crust. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crisp 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
Adjective
  • Companies that once minted money selling baby formula to feed a baby boom are now making shakes with calcium and selenium for older adults with brittle bones.
    Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Unlike what many American children have been taught in schools, astronauts don’t actually eat that stuff, partly because the brittle crumbs could fly everywhere in space.
    Regina Kim, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the most game-changing of defensive actions look tidy when handled with masterful precision.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Though at times the plot can feel a tad tidy, the sight of a few seams doesn’t take away from this funny and poignant, bittersweet and moving — yet never maudlin — debut.
    Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision.
    Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Below is a concise ABCD framework for proactive engagement: A – Activate Agency Stay Vigilant: Use AI with intention.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Given these facts, California’s fire devastation will ripple through the entire nation, and may be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
    Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Their actions can quickly ripple through the tech ecosystem, influencing hiring practices and overall corporate approach to talent management across the sector.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • He is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 210 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes.
    Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Their video ends with a short clip of the two dogs, tuckered out after playing in the garden, asleep side-by-side in the house.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The mix of opaque and see-through drawers keeps the closet neat without becoming too orderly.
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Life was not wonderful with Hummels and terrible without — that is far too neat — but the absence of personality is now particularly striking, never more so than during the defeat by Holstein Kiel last week.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, a photograph based and a brief description of each item will be required.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Aside from that brief fracas, the extended chat and the antics that followed, the Oilers were more interested about sticking it to the Canucks around their net.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that the setup is electrified, and engine has six cylinders instead of 12, may ruffle some features, but its performance shouldn’t.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Donald Trump Reiterates Greenland and Canada Should Become Part Of The United States By Bryce J. Casavant Canadian Forces Veteran 5 President Donald Trump's recent comments about Canada becoming the 51st state have ruffled some Dominion feathers.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near crisp

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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