brittleness
/ˈbrɪtlnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbrɪtlnəs/ (ame, ipa)
brittleness — noun
1. the tendency of a stiff or rigid material to snap, crack, or shatter when force
the tendency of a stiff or rigid material to snap, crack, or shatter when force is applied, rather than bending or stretching first
Keiko tapped the old ceramic teapot and was startled by its brittleness when the spout broke clean off.
The engineer tested the brittleness of the new alloy by striking it hard with a steel hammer.
collocation: test the brittleness of [material]
Amara learned about bone brittleness after her grandmother fell in the kitchen and fractured a hip.
Freezing winter temperatures greatly increase the brittleness of rubber seals in car engines.
The glassblower inspected the rim for brittleness before the vase was packed for shipping.
- fragility
broader term; can apply to anything easily broken or harmed, not only stiff materials
- friability
technical term for the tendency to crumble into powder; used of rock, soil, or tablets
- breakability
more general; does not imply stiffness as brittleness does
用法筆記
Used for materials that are stiff and snap rather than bend — glass, ceramic, bone, some plastics, and certain metals in cold conditions. Not used for soft or flexible materials.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of something — such as an agreement, a system, or a relationship — t
the quality of something — such as an agreement, a system, or a relationship — that seems steady and firm on the surface but can fall apart or be destroyed with little pressure
Dmitri warned the council about the brittleness of the ceasefire after fresh gunfire near the border.
The brittleness of the firm's reputation showed when a single bad review drove away customers.
Fatima saw the brittleness of their friendship when one small argument led to months of silence.
Investors grew uneasy about the brittleness of the market after three banks collapsed in one week.
The peace talks exposed the brittleness of a deal built on handshakes rather than written law.
- vulnerability
emphasises being open to attack or harm; does not imply an appearance of strength
- precariousness
suggests instability and risk of collapse; often used for physical positions or financial states
- fragility
close synonym; fragility is more common for systems and agreements
用法筆記
Often paired with abstract nouns: peace, trust, reputation, agreement, market, relationship. The key idea is that the thing looks robust but cracks under light strain. Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense does not involve physical materials.
3. the emotional state of a person who seems cheerful or self-assured to others but
the emotional state of a person who seems cheerful or self-assured to others but is inwardly anxious, easily wounded, and quick to fall apart when something goes wrong
Soren masked his brittleness with loud jokes, but his hands shook before every staff meeting.
collocation: mask one's brittleness
Yara's brittleness became obvious when a gentle teasing remark from a friend left her in tears.
The counsellor spotted the brittleness behind Joaquin's broad smile during their very first session.
Nnenna hid her brittleness so well that nobody at work guessed she cried herself to sleep.
Months of constant pressure at the office had worn through Tariq's confidence, leaving brittleness behind.
- sensitivity
less intense; a sensitive person is easily affected but may still cope, while brittleness implies near breaking point
- fragility
close synonym for emotional contexts; fragility is the more common word
- vulnerability
focuses on being open to emotional harm; does not require the outward appearance of confidence
用法筆記
Describes a hidden emotional state — the person appears outwardly strong or happy, so their brittleness is a surprise to others. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about a person's inner feelings, not about systems or relationships.