Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective succinct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of succinct are compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would compendious be a reasonable alternative to succinct?

The meanings of compendious and succinct largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is it sensible to use concise instead of succinct?

In some situations, the words concise and succinct are roughly equivalent. However, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When might laconic be a better fit than succinct?

The words laconic and succinct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How is pithy related to other words for succinct?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When could summary be used to replace succinct?

While in some cases nearly identical to succinct, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When can terse be used instead of succinct?

While the synonyms terse and succinct 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 succinct Bitcoin Magazine was more succinct, denigrating the Trump token offering on X. Brady Dale, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025 Lynch kept the mystery of all the work that led to this moment intact with that succinct thank you after receiving a massive standing ovation. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025 There were two punchline options: one succinct, the other verbose. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 This principle explains why Kennedy’s 17-word challenge continues to motivate generations and why Roosevelt’s succinct reassurance rallied a nation in crisis. Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for succinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succinct
Adjective
  • During the hearing, Lutnick gave short and concise answers.
    Zach Halaschak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Huo’s project is to portray these social relations and material disparities with crispness, therefore the image is sharp, and though expansive, also concise.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The scripted description of the library was very brief, with just one interesting detail — during installation, the new shelves opened up, like a flower.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The first Elam ending finish was great, giving us a dramatic (and brief) fix to the All-Star Game’s erosion.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

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