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

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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 Asking other people clear, concise questions can show empathy or establish your credibility, communication expert Matt Abrahams told CNBC Make It last year. —

Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 Ongoing debates about the field and its boundaries struggle to muster the concise definitions that metal subgenres enjoy. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025 Be clear and concise, as well as direct and humble at the same time. —

Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 18 Dec. 2024 His legacy will mean concise writing, concise presentation, and a calm demeanor in the face of crisis. —

George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for concise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise

Adjective

Sure enough, the summary destruction of that lonely Russian tank became fodder for the Phoenix drone group’s social media team.

— David Axe, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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