Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective concise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concise are compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When can compendious be used instead of concise?

The meanings of compendious and concise largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When could laconic be used to replace concise?

In some situations, the words laconic and concise are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for concise?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of concise?

The synonyms succinct and concise are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would summary be a reasonable alternative to concise?

While in some cases nearly identical to concise, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would terse be a good substitute for concise?

While the synonyms terse and concise are close in meaning, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of concise Her offbeat style and charming eccentricity informed the concise lineup in which high and low were intentionally merged. WWD, 3 Mar. 2025 Its capability to automate tasks, analyze extensive datasets efficiently and provide concise business insights facilitates both the speed and quality of business operations. Cory McNeley, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 And so do stylists Misa Hylton and June Ambrose, both who are notable women within the hip-hop industry renowned for their concise and career-defining work on behalf of Lil’ Kim and Missy Elliott respectively. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 28 Feb. 2025 If not, spend time crafting a concise and compelling elevator. Jennifer Sodini, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise
Adjective
  • Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city.
    Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
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
  • In addition to her recurring role on Melrose Place as antagonistic neurosurgeon Dr. Irene Shulman, Young has guest starred on Bones, This Is Us, and made a brief appearance in the Marvel superhero threequel Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).
    Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • By aggregating multiple zk-proofs into a single succinct proof, the verification burden on individual nodes is drastically reduced, enabling faster and more cost-effective processing.
    Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Stansbury recorded a video shared on Instagram while exiting the Capitol elaborating on the succinct message of her sign.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concise. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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