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

Examples 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
Return the pan to the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, without flipping, until the cauliflower florets are golden brown and crisp around the edges. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024 Checkered Chef Wire Cooling Rack Allowing cookies to cool properly before icing is the key to creating crisp borders, and the best way to do that is to transfer them to a wire cooling rack after baking. Maggie Horton, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The gnocchi gains loads of flavor when crisped in a pan, so skip boiling it and sauté in butter and olive oil until golden brown. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 In addition to crisping up food without a vat of fat, the nifty gadget also roasts, dehydrates, and reheats meals in a matter of minutes. Clara McMahon, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crisp 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisp
Adjective
  • Without this grounding, leadership becomes reactive, brittle and untethered.
    Leonie H. Mattison, MBA, EdD, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • First, a bit of background: Biotin is a B vitamin known for promoting healthy hair and helping with brittle nails.
    April Benshosan, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Just a few spoonfuls of flavorful cocoa (or, in some versions, a couple of tidy squares of baking chocolate) turn this cake a pale, ruddy brown, the same color as the building blocks of brown stone building facades, thus its name.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
  • With Sonic 3 anticipating tidy profits as North America prepares for the Christmas / New Year’s moviegoing season, developing a fourth movie makes sense.
    Ash Parrish, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Anika Dhar My opening note at final Tribal will be clear and concise.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Families can type or speak questions into a chat box, and Allison responds immediately with concise, reliable answers.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Additionally, vendors may not disclose vulnerabilities in their systems, increasing the risk of breaches that can ripple through their clients’ operations.
    Steve Wilson, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • But now, the data suggests the pandemic has started a wave of abstention that is still rippling through grade levels.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Lathan sought to create visually compelling short films featuring intimate vignettes about the whimsy, experiments and delights of everyday life such as making a pie.
    Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
  • My niece Maddy, however, has her phone firmly in hand, a short distance from her face.
    Terry Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But Telegram has always come across as a secure alternative to those other mainstream platforms, which is a neat example of the power of marketing.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • How to Grow Plants from Cuttings to Fill More Pots for Free Pruning Rainbow Eucalyptus Periodic pruning will keep rainbow eucalyptus neat and at a manageable size.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • After debuting some serious acting chops in 2016’s Mr. Robot, Joey Bada$$ took a brief hiatus from music in 2019 to explore that outlet.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Already a fan favorite, the song—widely believed to be inspired by her brief relationship with Jake Gylenhaal—was re-released as a 10-minute epic in 2021, alongside a short film, starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, directed by Swift herself.
    Lolita Mang, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Outfitted with long sleeves, a V-neckline, elastic waistband, and ruffled hem, this mini is bound to turn heads.
    Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
  • In Congress Kash Patel is getting a frosty reception: © AP President-elect Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI — suggesting Trump will force out current FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his 10-year term — has ruffled some feathers on Capitol Hill.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near crisp

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisp. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

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