Brittle

Brittle describes something hard but liable to break or shatter easily under stress or pressure. This fragility stems from a lack of ductility, malleability, or elasticity, making the material prone to fracture with little deformation. It can apply to physical objects, like glass or dried leaves, as well as abstract concepts, such as a person's temperament or a political situation. The defining characteristic is a low resistance to breaking or cracking, often exhibiting this trait when subjected to impact, bending, or torsion. This is a key property in many materials, affecting their suitability for various applications.

Brittle meaning with examples

• The old, Brittle glass pane shattered into a thousand pieces when the baseball accidentally hit it. Its age and exposure had weakened the material, making it exceptionally fragile. We had to be very careful with how we handled this, since just a slight bump could cause it to break completely.
• Her Brittle laugh barely masked her underlying anxiety as she presented her project. Years of stressful experiences had left her emotionally fragile, causing her to become this way. It was clear she had become someone easily upset or overwhelmed.
• The dry, Brittle twigs snapped easily under his feet as he walked through the forest, a sound echoing in the quiet air. The lack of moisture made them susceptible to breaking with minimal force. The cold air and dry season definitely did not help.
• The political alliance proved to be Brittle, fracturing under the slightest disagreement, the factions being unable to find common ground. The situation was not at all stable, and disagreements caused everything to fall apart. Everyone understood the agreement to be fragile.
• The antique ceramic vase, with its intricate designs and thin walls, was exceptionally Brittle, requiring delicate handling. The piece was made with very small amounts of material and was very easily cracked. We always kept it in a safe location.