brittlest
Least likely bending
The superlative form of brittle—most likely to break or shatter under stress.
Glass, dried leaves, and aging bones can all be brittlest when conditions make them maximally fragile.
The word extends to temperament: He was at his brittlest during the divorce proceedings.
Fragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- snapSudden sharp sound
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- fractureSplit in hard material
crumble · fragment · smash · frangible · friable · breakability · splintery · crackable
Filmy, delicate material
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
finespun · papery · eggshell · porcelain · crystalline · wafer-thin · filamentous · cobwebby
Breaking with sound
- crackersCrispy flat biscuits
- biscottiCrunchy Italian almond cookies
- ruskDry, twice-baked bread
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
chips · granola · popcorn · croutons · pretzels · grissini · wafer · crispbread
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- weakLacking power or force
- precariousDangerously insecure
- unstableProne to sudden change
endangered · threatened · at risk · tenuous · perishable · deteriorating · decaying · crumbling
Strained or nervous
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- edgyTense and irritable
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
volatile · touchy · defensive · guarded · reactive · hypersensitive · thin-skinned · temperamental
shatter
Fragment violently, suddenly
fracture · crumble · fragment · smash · frangible · friable · breakability · splintery · crackable · shattery
gossamer
Filmy, delicate material
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
diaphanous · finespun · papery · eggshell · porcelain · crystalline · wafer-thin · filamentous · cobwebby · translucent
crunchy
Breaking with sound
toast · chips · granola · popcorn · croutons · pretzels · grissini · wafer · crispbread · pita chips
exposed
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- weakLacking power or force
- precariousDangerously insecure
unstable · endangered · threatened · at risk · tenuous · perishable · deteriorating · decaying · crumbling · compromised
tense
Strained or nervous
sensitive · volatile · touchy · defensive · guarded · reactive · hypersensitive · thin-skinned · temperamental · prickly
- peanut brittleHard candy with legumes
- nut brittleHardened sugar with seeds
- brittle bonesWeak, breakable skeletal tissue
- brittle nailsEasily broken finger coverings
- brittle hairEasily broken head strands
- almond brittleHard candy with nuts