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

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 succinct Here, a reproduction of the article that ran in Women’s Wear Daily on July 20, 1956, including Dior’s thoughts on the WWD’s support of him and its succinct coverage of all things informing the fashion industry 365 days of the year. Wwd Staff, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025 Speaking before the Flyers’ 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, their 41st game of the season, coach John Tortorella offered a broad, succinct view of where the organization is in its rebuild. Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Nikki Glaser delivering the most succinct and accurate review of Babygirl. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 Denny Hamlin quickly celebrated the ruling with an enthusiastic and succinct social media post. Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for succinct 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succinct
Adjective
  • Effective Communication Effective leadership always involves clear and concise communication.
    Chris Williams, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Eowyn was expected to clear into the Norwegian Sea on Saturday, allowing a brief lull of drier and calmer conditions, but another storm system is forecast to bring similar hazards for Britain on Sunday and Monday.
    Claire Moses, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The brief applause, though, was the first and last time the TikTok phenom (157 million followers and counting) had the spotlight.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Jan. 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

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near succinct

Cite this Entry

“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on succinct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!