1
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
a brief but crucial admonition to keep quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time
fortunately, the meeting was brief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flash
lasting only for a short time
a brief flash of light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
a one-page brief of the intelligence report
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mission
a specific task with which a person or group is charged
the soldiers' brief was to secure the village from enemy attacks
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to inform
to give information to
the lieutenant briefed his superior officers on the state of the enemy's fortifications
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
his duties include briefing intelligence reports for the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brief
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
The Padres hope one of the two that win a spot in the coming days is only needed for a brief time at the beginning of the season.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Judge Carl Nichols set a Wednesday morning deadline for both the plaintiffs and the government to submit briefs on the matter.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025
On these calls, reporters are typically briefed on the previous month's U.S. and global average temperatures, and trends during the year-to-date.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
The tour through Rome’s historic center came after Francis made his first appearance in five weeks to give a thumbs-up and brief blessing from a hospital balcony.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
The Padres hope one of the two that win a spot in the coming days is only needed for a brief time at the beginning of the season.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
The judge spoke during a hearing over the scheduling of briefs regarding Khalil’s detention while protesters carrying Palestinian flags and signs gathered outside and demanded his release.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Judge Carl Nichols set a Wednesday morning deadline for both the plaintiffs and the government to submit briefs on the matter.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Corley also said previously Jones was regularly briefing a working group of three council members and updating other council members during one-on-one meetings on transit deal negotiations after some council members expressed frustration with feeling left out of the talks.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025
On these calls, reporters are typically briefed on the previous month's U.S. and global average temperatures, and trends during the year-to-date.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
His words articulated a feeling many football fans have felt in a concise and beautiful way.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Now, the need to articulate our thoughts with precision compels us to deconstruct complex ideas, identify underlying assumptions, and formulate straightforward, concise questions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The group’s music and imagery spoke to him, but so did the tale of Morrison’s short, tumultuous life and, especially, his death, which has always been shrouded in some mystery.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2025
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The short float is 5.64%, a higher metric than the others listed here.—
John Navin,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Los Angeles City Attorney’s office spokesman Ivor Pine said Urías was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community labor.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2025
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Document Decisions: After each meeting, send out a summary of key decisions and action items.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The institute's mission is to promote conflict resolution and the prevention of conflict across the globe.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Starmer is prepared to host a meeting of European military chiefs this week to dive deeper into the operational details of the plan, up to and including which European country will contribute forces, who will command the mission and where air support will be based.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to Kang, investment in innovative projects should inform how the company should move forward.—
Jessica Mendoza,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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The night before the vote, Tillis informed Thune of his plan to oppose Hegseth.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to Dewey's Instagram Stories summarizing the fatal incident, the toddler was playing with a suction cup bowl by sticking it onto a mirror and pulling it back and forth.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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But to summarize, he was born in San Benito, Texas — not far from Brownsville and the Mexico border town of Matamoros — and raised by his mother in a nearby trailer park.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Governed by a growth mindset devoted to the logic of disruption, moving fast and breaking things, a flourishing structure of feeling about AI and art history has sprung up on the grounds of very little AI-and-art-history to have feelings about.—
Sonja Drimmer,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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Steady confidence is a honed characteristic the company strives for in all its vehicles, marked by very little pull on the wheel from one side or the other while stopping.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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