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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
a one-page brief of the intelligence report
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brief
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 May 2025
In this regard, the fact that reading even a single brief news story had any effect is encouraging.
—Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
No attorney or staff member at either firm apparently cite-checked or otherwise reviewed that research before filing the brief with the Special Master.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
Along with a break-in at Kid Cudi’s home, there was a tirade of threats by Combs over the brief relationship between Kid Cudi and Cassie Ventura.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 May 2025
In this regard, the fact that reading even a single brief news story had any effect is encouraging.
—Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
Noun
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, will move control over the president’s daily intelligence brief from the C.I.A. to her office.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
No attorney or staff member at either firm apparently cite-checked or otherwise reviewed that research before filing the brief with the Special Master.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
Verb
McLaughlin told the Daily Mail that agency staff had a call with the producer last week but that Noem had yet to be briefed about it.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
In a concise 30-to-45-minute session, volunteers learn to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions, validate the veterans' experience, and expedite referral to services—summarized by the acronym SAVE.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2025
-
Scheduling a concise daily standup meeting can keep alignment tight.—
Max Avery,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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But in the end, like so often before, their effort fell just short.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
Each of them plays like a standalone vignette that could make a short film, and as with a short film program made up of multiple stories, some are stronger than others.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
28 May 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
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
-
Trump’s other orders would also ease the regulatory process on approving new reactors and strengthening fuel supply chains, according to a draft summary obtained by Reuters.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
28 May 2025
-
The last two test missions — Flight 7 in January and Flight 8 in March — ended in explosive failures.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Attendees had been informed of the location just 48 hours in advance.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
-
Force torque sensors installed in most of its joints act a bit like a nervous system, informing the robot when key components sustain excessive loads to prevent it from damaging the arm or the drill.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
To summarize, here are some steps to get started: Self-reflection: Assess your interests, values, and long-term goals.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
What now in Toronto? To summarize: In the first round, the Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 lead against an overwhelmed wild-card opponent and flirted with blowing the series before closing it out in six.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
In Madrid, little is known about Bellingham’s social life.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
That is why the reappraisal of Biden’s physical and mental abilities while in office has so far done little to reassure the public.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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