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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laconic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of laconic are compendious, concise, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

Where would compendious be a reasonable alternative to laconic?

Although the words compendious and laconic have much in common, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is concise a more appropriate choice than laconic?

The words concise and laconic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

How is pithy related to other words for laconic?

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

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When might succinct be a better fit than laconic?

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

a succinct letter of resignation

When can summary be used instead of laconic?

The meanings of summary and laconic largely overlap; however, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

In what contexts can terse take the place of laconic?

While in some cases nearly identical to laconic, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Examples 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 laconic Snoop commandeers the hook with a melodicism that blends effortlessly with Sting’s croons, then switches over to his signature, laconic flow before passing the baton to his costar who closes out the high-powered collaboration. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Dec. 2024 During that time, the laconic Puddy began dating Seinfeld's friend Elaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Trump cannot stop talking, especially about himself; Australians are laconic and taciturn. Michael Fullilove, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017 Watch on Deadline Moderator Dennis Lim, the fest’s artistic director, assured him that laughter had come freely and often during the film, which is hardly a comedy but displays Cronenberg’s laconic sensibility in many scenes. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for laconic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • Effective Communication Effective leadership always involves clear and concise communication.
    Chris Williams, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Asking other people clear, concise questions can show empathy or establish your credibility, communication expert Matt Abrahams told CNBC Make It last year.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The General Year: 1926 Runtime: 1h 15m Directors: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton Truly classic comedies can be hard to find on streaming services, so take this chance to watch an all-timer, one of the best silent movies ever made.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
  • In many organizations, there is a silent understanding that more hours equate to high performance.
    Lieke ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But while the country is entering a brief period of limbo, one thing is all but certain.
    David Moscrop, TIME, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Cameras caught Trump and Pence shake hands and exchange brief words before the start of the service at the Washington National Cathedral.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Vacheron has always been more stately, more reserved, and in a way more true to its history than Patek and Audemars Piguet have been.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Abel describes herself as an extrovert who thrives on storytelling and adventure, while Andy is more reserved and content with a quieter life.
    Maria Morava, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • It was delivered to the Task Force five days past the deadline, and contained less than four and half pages, more than half of which consisted of summary narratives.
    Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
  • The hermit kingdom is known for summary executions, abducting foreign citizens, and for hacking entertainment giant Sony.
    Sarah E. Mendelson, Foreign Affairs, 28 May 2015
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • But Judge Declines to Impose Punishment General News How the L.A. Wildfires Are Becoming a Conspiracy-Theorists' Haven -- and a Political Weapon Locals long have prized Palm Beach for its restrained serenity.
    Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
  • On the other hand, every action, inaction and reaction remains uncannily familiar, making Chowdhury’s restrained approach feel like the right one.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With bounty hunters hot on her trail, Sara hires a taciturn stranger named Isaac (Taylor Kitsch) to guide them to safety, which proves elusive in a region where the Army, Native Americans, Mormon militiamen and other settlers are locked in a battle for control.
    Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
  • It could even be discerned in the taciturn response from President Biden after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 descended into chaos, said Julian E. Zelizer, a professor of political history at Princeton.
    Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near laconic

Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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