1
a
: easily broken or destroyed
a fragile vase
fragile bones
b
: constitutionally (see constitutionally sense 1a) delicate : lacking in vigor
a fragile child
Examples of fragile in a Sentence
Her health has always been very fragile.
an artist with a fragile ego
He is in an emotionally fragile state.
The two countries have formed a fragile coalition.
Recent Examples on the Web
The project of a diverse, revitalized Oakland will survive this disaster, but the people in charge of the city and the school system—not just in Oakland but in all cities with coalitions of families that are committed to true integration—should realize how fragile these ideas can be.
—
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2024
This could eliminate the need for excess inventory and dramatically reduce waste within the long and often fragile supply chain.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
The aviation industry is more fragile now, in part because of how many experienced workers left during Covid-19.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 3 Sep. 2024
Reservoirs are a key component of the state’s fragile water system, but the influx of sediment can both decrease a basin’s capacity and degrade its water quality.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fragile 
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2024
This could eliminate the need for excess inventory and dramatically reduce waste within the long and often fragile supply chain.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
The aviation industry is more fragile now, in part because of how many experienced workers left during Covid-19.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 3 Sep. 2024
Reservoirs are a key component of the state’s fragile water system, but the influx of sediment can both decrease a basin’s capacity and degrade its water quality.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fragile
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fragile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragile. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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