concise

adjective

kən-ˈsīs How to pronounce concise (audio)
Definition of concisenext
as in summary
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Scheduling a concise daily standup meeting can keep alignment tight. —Max Avery, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 That is a really concise way of putting it — your taste is formed by the people that come before you. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 May 2025 Headway offers concise, 15-minute summaries of best-selling nonfiction books, with 1,500+ titles covering everything from personal finance and productivity to psychology and leadership. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 11 May 2025 This means clear, concise disclosures on landing pages, in privacy policies and during any direct interaction. —William Decourcy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for concise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise
  1. summary
  2. brief
  3. succinct
Adjective
  • Unlike traditional employee income, business income does not always come with summary tax forms like the W2 at the end of the year.
    — Vlad Rusz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Deputy Attorney General Drew Ensign struggled to answer a barrage of Boasberg’s questions during a Thursday hearing in Washington’s federal court, home to a multi-week standoff over President Trump’s executive power to exert summary deportations in the name of national security.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of summary
Adjective
  • The private residence was used for a brief exterior shot only in the movie.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Peyton Manning Doesn't Hold Back About Aaron Rodgers Amid Steelers Rumors During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Marino revealed some brief thoughts on Rodgers and the Steelers.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • What a succinct and evocative phrase to describe what AI can do for you.
    — David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • In the hours after Sunderland’s dramatic victory in the Championship play-off final, Jobe Bellingham took to social media to deliver a succinct verdict.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of succinct

Browse Nearby Words

concinnity
concise
concisely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Concise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concise. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on concise

Nglish: Translation of concise for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All