CONCISE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

concise

adjective

kən-ˈsīs

Definition of concise next

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

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 October yielded the more concise Bexaco y rico, which uses dembow as a launch pad into hyperspace. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 Present the information in a concise, easy-to-reference format. —

Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 The concise speech, which included just a handful of quips and gags, recognized Peach and Blossom, two 40-plus-pound birds named in recognition of Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of Mr. Biden’s home state. —

Zach Montague, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 Told in concise vignettes, the narrative weaves in Suzanne’s late husband, his lover, and a dog. —

Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for concise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise

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