variants
or elliptic
1
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the poet's elliptical style is such that the reader often senses that an allusion is being made—but to what exactly?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
his elliptical replies can seem rude to some people, but that's just his way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elliptical
After a few exercises and some time on the elliptical bike, Flagg returned in the second quarter.
—
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun while it is positioned a bit farther away because of its slightly elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Told in an elliptical style that requires the viewer to fill in some gaps, the narrative begins in Montreal, where 50-something Mihail (theatre actor and director Galin Stoev) works as a curator for a wealthy Canadian art dealer (Christophe Bégin).
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
This eerie sensation is further enhanced by elliptical editing that seamlessly skips back and forth in time across the span of just a few days, creating a sense of fluidity across what should feel discontinuous.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun while it is positioned a bit farther away because of its slightly elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Told in an elliptical style that requires the viewer to fill in some gaps, the narrative begins in Montreal, where 50-something Mihail (theatre actor and director Galin Stoev) works as a curator for a wealthy Canadian art dealer (Christophe Bégin).
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
This eerie sensation is further enhanced by elliptical editing that seamlessly skips back and forth in time across the span of just a few days, creating a sense of fluidity across what should feel discontinuous.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
The three-page letter is somewhat cryptic.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The lyrics are often cryptic and clipped, but bear evidence of turbulence and tumult.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ring features a 12-carat, oval Ceylon sapphire at its center surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds set in 18k white gold—by anyone’s eye, a beautiful piece.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Oval Glass Doors That front door with an oval glass inset?—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The notes for his speech offer a concise distillation of what makes Louisville special.—
Adam Sachs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That role falls to the capsule communicator, or CapCom, who ensures that the crew receives clear and concise communication.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Language that humans easily understand can be too ambiguous for machines, especially when multiple objects look similar.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Was there any thought of ending there and leaving what happens next ambiguous?—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Suggest a timeline that protects quality, confirm roles in writing, and schedule a brief follow-up to keep everyone aligned, whether partnered, solo, or collaborating.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Breaking from a brief decline, jail deaths again rose statewide in 2025.—
Ryan Oehrli
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.—
Yossi Melman,
ProPublica,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Lyrics in the song include clear references to Taylor’s life and style, and also some more obscure Easter-egg-type reference.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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