Question:
Select the most appropriate word from the given options that has a similar meaning to the word: BRITTLE.
Select the most appropriate word from the given options that has a similar meaning to the word: BRITTLE.
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Both “brittle” and “fragile” share the core semantic attribute of being easily broken or shattered under stress.
Be careful not to select “flexible”, which is an antonym.
Be careful not to select “flexible”, which is an antonym.
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Fragile
- Tangy
- Flexible
- Radiant
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Synonymy is the semantic relation between words that share identical or closely overlapping senses in specific linguistic registers. The adjective “brittle” describes a physical property of materials characterized by hardness, structural rigidity, and a high susceptibility to fracturing, snapping, or shattering under slight stress without significant prior deformation. Identifying its synonym requires selecting a word that denotes an equivalent vulnerability to breakage or delicate structural integrity.
Step 1: Detailed Lexical Analysis of the Target Word:
- Brittle: Originating from Old English brytel (related to breotan, meaning to break), it denotes an object that is hard but liable to crack, break, or snap easily under pressure (e.g., brittle glass, brittle bones).
Step 2: Evaluation of Options:
- (A) Fragile: Originating from Latin fragilis (from frangere, to break), it signifies easily broken, shattered, damaged, or delicate. It is a direct and precise synonym for “brittle”.
- (B) Tangy: Describes a sharp, piquant, acidic, or distinctive flavor or odor; completely unrelated to physical strength or brittleness.
- (C) Flexible: Refers to the capacity to bend easily without breaking; this is the direct physical antonym of “brittle”.
- (D) Radiant: Describes an object or person emitting rays of light, glowing brightly, or displaying vivid health and happiness.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The word most similar in meaning to “BRITTLE” is “Fragile”, corresponding to Option (A).
Synonymy is the semantic relation between words that share identical or closely overlapping senses in specific linguistic registers. The adjective “brittle” describes a physical property of materials characterized by hardness, structural rigidity, and a high susceptibility to fracturing, snapping, or shattering under slight stress without significant prior deformation. Identifying its synonym requires selecting a word that denotes an equivalent vulnerability to breakage or delicate structural integrity.
Step 1: Detailed Lexical Analysis of the Target Word:
- Brittle: Originating from Old English brytel (related to breotan, meaning to break), it denotes an object that is hard but liable to crack, break, or snap easily under pressure (e.g., brittle glass, brittle bones).
Step 2: Evaluation of Options:
- (A) Fragile: Originating from Latin fragilis (from frangere, to break), it signifies easily broken, shattered, damaged, or delicate. It is a direct and precise synonym for “brittle”.
- (B) Tangy: Describes a sharp, piquant, acidic, or distinctive flavor or odor; completely unrelated to physical strength or brittleness.
- (C) Flexible: Refers to the capacity to bend easily without breaking; this is the direct physical antonym of “brittle”.
- (D) Radiant: Describes an object or person emitting rays of light, glowing brightly, or displaying vivid health and happiness.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The word most similar in meaning to “BRITTLE” is “Fragile”, corresponding to Option (A).
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