Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective verbose differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of verbose are diffuse, prolix, and wordy. While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.

the verbose position papers

When can diffuse be used instead of verbose?

The words diffuse and verbose can be used in similar contexts, but diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style.

diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

When would prolix be a good substitute for verbose?

The meanings of prolix and verbose largely overlap; however, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details.

habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

When might wordy be a better fit than verbose?

Although the words wordy and verbose have much in common, wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity.

a wordy speech

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 verbose Truss is far less colorful, less verbose than her former backslapping boss — perhaps in a good way. William Booth, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2022 Laurie Woolery, who has helmed the premieres of several new plays at another New Haven theater, the Yale Rep, in New Haven, has a knack for packing action and needed distraction into scenes that might otherwise be tiringly verbose. Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 19 Mar. 2022 Nate wasn’t very verbose about what had gone on in the foyer. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 28 Feb. 2022 This is a great tool to use so that more verbose and talkative members of the classroom don’t dominate the conversations. Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 See all Example Sentences for verbose 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbose
Adjective
  • His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.
    Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
  • There is more than 178 feet of beach and ocean frontage, which can be accessed via a rambling wooden staircase.
    Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn.
    Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Energetic and talkative, Patel speaks of his peers on Devon with the comfort and humor of a longtime community member.
    Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Words, including those of artists themselves—as prolix in their way as critics, curators, and historians—can serve vision but can also deflect from it.
    Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
  • In 1949, a young American artist named Ray Johnson left Black Mountain College near Asheville, N.C., moved to New York City and began to explore his prolix talents, both visual and verbal.
    Roberta Smith, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Adjective
  • Players said Bieniemy’s plays were wordy and hard to learn, and the results reflected those struggles.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Compared to my last record, this project feels very wordy to me.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near verbose

Cite this Entry

“Verbose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbose. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on verbose

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