PITHY Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'pithy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pithy are compendious , concise , laconic , succinct , summary , and terse . While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance. // a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

Q: When could 'compendious' be used to replace 'pithy'?

The words compendious and pithy can be used in similar contexts, but compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment. // a compendious dictionary

Q: In what contexts can 'concise' take the place of 'pithy'?

Although the words concise and pithy have much in common, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative. // a concise description

Q: Where would 'laconic' be a reasonable alternative to 'pithy'?

In some situations, the words laconic and pithy are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious. // an aloof and laconic stranger

Q: When is it sensible to use 'succinct' instead of 'pithy'?

The words succinct and pithy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, succinct implies the greatest possible compression. // a succinct letter of resignation

Q: When would 'summary' be a good substitute for 'pithy'?

The synonyms summary and pithy are sometimes interchangeable, but summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation. // a summary listing of the year's main events

Q: When is 'terse' a more appropriate choice than 'pithy'?

The meanings of terse and pithy largely overlap; however, terse implies pointed conciseness. // a terse reply

pithy

adjective

ˈpi-thē

Definition of pithy next

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a fairly pithy criticism about a notably lengthy novel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pithy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pithy are compendious, concise, laconic, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When could compendious be used to replace pithy?

The words compendious and pithy can be used in similar contexts, but compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

In what contexts can concise take the place of pithy?

Although the words concise and pithy have much in common, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

Where would laconic be a reasonable alternative to pithy?

In some situations, the words laconic and pithy are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of pithy?

The words succinct and pithy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When would summary be a good substitute for pithy?

The synonyms summary and pithy are sometimes interchangeable, but summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When is terse a more appropriate choice than pithy?

The meanings of terse and pithy largely overlap; however, 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 pithy Marks’s pithy analysis of how the world works looms large here. —

John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 The stage version had the same issue: Fey excels at boiling an interaction down to a pithy exchange or two, leaving precious little emotional territory for the music to cover. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024 Their ammunition consisted of funny pictures and pithy phrases designed to be replicated and circulated — the stuff of which digital culture is made. —

Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 31 July 2024 An online petition gathered 1,472 signatures (and pithy remarks) sent to the email boxes of park personnel and city council members. —

Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for pithy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pithy

Adjective

Preferring fast-moving social media like TikTok, this generation is used to absorbing fast and concise information.

Boris Abaev, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
And, indeed, the lyrics to the two-tone takedown are precise and concise.

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2024