embrittle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “embrittle” mean?
To make or become brittle, to lose toughness and become susceptible to cracking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make or become brittle, to lose toughness and become susceptible to cracking.
To make something (often a material, system, relationship, or situation) fragile, less resilient, or more prone to failure under stress.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical and precise in both; any metaphorical use is a conscious extension from the core scientific meaning.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general use, confined to technical/specialist contexts. Slightly more frequent in American engineering publications due to scale of industry.
Grammar
How to Use “embrittle” in a Sentence
NP ~ (transitive)NP ~ NP (causative)NP ~ (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “embrittle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The harsh chemicals can embrittle the rubber seals over time.
- Researchers studied how the alloy embrittles at low temperatures.
American English
- Hydrogen exposure will embrittle the pipeline steel.
- The political stalemate embrittled the coalition.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverb form).
American English
- N/A (No standard adverb form).
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjective form. Use 'brittle' or 'embrittled').
American English
- N/A (No standard adjective form. Use 'brittle' or 'embrittled').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The constant regulatory changes embrittled the supply chain, making it vulnerable to shocks.'
Academic
Technical: 'Prolonged exposure to neutron radiation can embrittle the reactor vessel steel.'
Everyday
Rare. Possible: 'Leaving that plastic garden chair in the sun all summer will embrittle it.'
Technical
Core usage: 'The weld was improperly post-treated, causing it to embrittle and fail under load.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “embrittle”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “embrittle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “embrittle”
- Using it as a noun ('an embrittle'). It is a verb only.
- Confusing it with 'brittle' (adjective). 'Embrittle' is the *process*.
- Incorrect stress: /ˈɛm.brɪt.əl/ instead of /ɪmˈbrɪt.əl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term primarily used in materials science, engineering, and metallurgy.
Yes, though less common. E.g., 'The plastic embrittled after years of UV exposure.'
The related noun is 'embrittlement', as in 'hydrogen embrittlement'.
'Brittle' is an adjective describing a state (easily broken). 'Embrittle' is a verb describing the *process* of becoming brittle.
To make or become brittle, to lose toughness and become susceptible to cracking.
Embrittle is usually technical / formal in register.
Embrittle: in British English it is pronounced /ɪmˈbrɪt.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪmˈbrɪt̬.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EM' as 'make' and 'BRITTLE' as fragile. EMBRITTLE = MAKE BRITTLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL FRAGILITY IS SOCIAL/POLITICAL VULNERABILITY (e.g., 'The sanctions embrittled the regime').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'embrittle' used most precisely?