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Definition of brittleness

brittleness

/ˈbɹɪt.əl.nəs/
brit · tle · ness
Adverb:brittlely
•
Adjective:brittle
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brittleness Lexical Profile

brittleness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The physical quality of being hard or rigid but easily broken, cracked, or shattered when subjected to stress, rather than bending or deforming.

Example

"Adding carbon to iron increases its hardness, though too much carbon can result in unwanted brittleness."

2

A state of emotional, structural, or systemic instability characterized by a lack of resilience, warmth, or adaptability under pressure.

Example

"Behind his confident public demeanor, there was a noticeable brittleness whenever anyone questioned his authority."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for brittleness

• Nearby Words

britons
britten
brittle
brittleness
brno
bro
broach

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'brittle' (derived from the Old English verb 'bryttian', meaning 'to shatter or divide into fragments') and the suffix '-ness'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brittleness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brittleness
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