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

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 pithy Even so, one critical stakeholder has been pithier in its response. —

Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Overly warm storage temperatures can cause sweet potatoes to sprout prematurely, while storage conditions that are too cold can turn tubers pithy. —

Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024 The segment tasked Crockett with offering blistering political commentary in a pithy, quotable fashion. —

Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2024 And, unlike poring through Cliff's Notes, the pithy, podcast-style format would actually make for enjoyable background noise while out on a walk or running errands. —

Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pithy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pithy

Adjective

President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision.

— Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Below is a concise ABCD framework for proactive engagement: A – Activate Agency Stay Vigilant: Use AI with intention.

— Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025