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

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 concise These games foster sophisticated communication skills through various channels: Real-Time Coordination Players develop precise communication protocols, using clear, concise language to relay critical information. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 This concise film provides no one perspective on repatriation, no singular prescriptive for how best to contend with the issues broached by the students shown on screen. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Trench is born out of the tumult of those years, and throughout the record’s double-disc journey, Nuna comes out on the other side with a greater understanding of how to streamline her idiosyncrasies into a concise project. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2024 The Kindle Scribe includes another new feature that uses generative artificial intelligence to summarize pages of notes into a concise list. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for concise 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise
Adjective
  • The Virtual Assistant was able to relay what participants said almost perfectly, as well as break things down into summary topics.
    Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 23 Sep. 2024
  • April 3 — Ukraine discovers Russian atrocities in Bucha Russia's hasty retreat from Kyiv's suburbs revealed evidence of summary executions, beheadings, torture, rape, and other atrocities.
    Peter Weber, theweek, 14 May 2024
Adjective
  • After a brief impression of Judy, Paris offered some insight into one of the girls’ foremost comedic influences growing up.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
  • In brief bursts Friday night at Ball Arena, a rowdy crowd told Valeri Nichushkin all is forgiven.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • These presentations often include succinct summaries of your key business functions.
    Victoria Zelefsky, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
  • The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near concise

Cite this Entry

“Concise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concise. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on concise

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