brittle
5 synonyms and 5 antonyms for brittle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered.
“The old parchment had become brittle with age.”
Opposites
2. adj
Emotionally fragile; easily hurt or upset.
“His confidence seemed brittle after the failed interview.”
Opposites
How to use brittle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
brittle bones
brittle nails
peanut brittle
brittle confidence
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "prone to break" — related to the word "brit," an old verb meaning to break into pieces.
Full origin of brittle →Frequently asked questions
What does “brittle” mean?
The word “brittle” means hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered. In plain terms, easily broken or snapped — used for physical materials, and figuratively for emotional fragility.
How do you pronounce “brittle”?
“Brittle” is pronounced BRIH-tuhl (/ˈbɹɪtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “brittle” in a sentence?
Here is “brittle” used in a sentence: “The old parchment had become brittle with age.”
What part of speech is “brittle”?
Depending on how it is used, “brittle” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “brittle” come from?
The word “brittle” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning "prone to break" — related to the word "brit," an old verb meaning to break into pieces.
Is “brittle” a common word?
“Brittle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brittle” have?
“Brittle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered.
