What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonductile
Example
The nonductile steel beams in the building contributed to its collapse during the earthquake. [nonductile: adjective]
Example
The brittle nature of the ceramic vase made it prone to shattering when dropped. [brittle: adjective]
brittle
Example
The brittle candy shattered when I bit into it. [brittle: adjective]
Example
The ceramic plate was so brittle that it broke into pieces when it fell off the counter. [brittle: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brittle is more commonly used than nonductile in everyday language. Brittle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nonductile is a more specialized term used primarily in engineering and construction contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonductile and brittle?
Nonductile is a more technical term and is typically used in formal or technical contexts, while brittle can be used in both formal and informal contexts.