fragile
Handle with care
Fragile describes things easily broken, damaged, or destroyed.
A fragile vase shatters if dropped.
Fragile extends to anything delicate or vulnerable: a fragile ecosystem, a fragile peace, a fragile ego.
Someone in fragile health is weak and susceptible to decline.
Handle with care—it's fragile.
Fragment violently, suddenly
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- smashBreak violently apart
- crumbleFragment gradually
brittle · snap · rupture · disintegrate · chip · crushable · shards · damage
Translucent fired clay
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- daintyDelicately small and pretty
gauzy · lacy · papery · diaphanous · finespun · chiffon · silken · eggshell
Prone to sudden change
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- shakyTrembling or unstable
wobbly · tottering · insecure · tenuous · uncertain · vulnerable · at risk · hanging by a thread
Lacking power or force
- feebleWeak and ineffective
- infirmWeak in body
- sicklyProne to poor health
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
ailing · faint · weary · elderly · convalescent · bedridden · wasting · pale
Easily affected emotionally
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- tenderSoft or sore
- rawIn original state
- woundedHaving sustained harm
hurt · thin-skinned · touchy · defensive · insecure · self-conscious · overwhelmed · anxious
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- impermanentNot meant to last
passing · short-lived · transitory · perishable · fading · brief · temporary · mortal
Inherited family treasure
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
- relicPreserved ancient object
collectible · irreplaceable · priceless · treasure · handcrafted · artisan · museum piece · china
shatter
Fragment violently, suddenly
crumble · brittle · snap · rupture · disintegrate · chip · crushable · shards · damage · destroy
porcelain
Translucent fired clay
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- wispyThin and insubstantial
dainty · gauzy · lacy · papery · diaphanous · finespun · chiffon · silken · eggshell · tissue
unstable
Prone to sudden change
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
shaky · wobbly · tottering · insecure · tenuous · uncertain · vulnerable · at risk · hanging by a thread · house of cards
weak
Lacking power or force
delicate · ailing · faint · weary · elderly · convalescent · bedridden · wasting · pale · gaunt
sensitive
Easily affected emotionally
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- tenderSoft or sore
- rawIn original state
wounded · hurt · thin-skinned · touchy · defensive · insecure · self-conscious · overwhelmed · anxious · temperamental
ephemeral
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
impermanent · passing · short-lived · transitory · perishable · fading · brief · temporary · mortal · decaying
heirloom
Inherited family treasure
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
relic · collectible · irreplaceable · priceless · treasure · handcrafted · artisan · museum piece · china · vase
fragileunbreakable
Impossible to damage
shatterproof · indestructible · nonbreakable · infrangible · tough
- fragile egoEasily damaged self-esteem
- fragile ecosystemsEnvironments easily harmed by change
- fragile itemsObjects easily damaged
- fragile beautyLoveliness vulnerable to damage
- fragile X syndromeGenetic cause of cognitive impairment
- male fragility