WORDY Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'wordy' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wordy are diffuse , prolix , and verbose . While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity. // a wordy speech

Q: When would 'diffuse' be a good substitute for 'wordy'?

The synonyms diffuse and wordy are sometimes interchangeable, but diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style. // diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'prolix' instead of 'wordy'?

The words prolix and wordy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details. // habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

Q: When can 'verbose' be used instead of 'wordy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to wordy , verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision. // the verbose position papers

wordy

adjective

ˈwər-dē

Definition of wordy next

as in rambling

using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea her writing style is far too wordy for my tastes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rhetoric

of or relating to words or language the neighborhood dispute escalated into a wordy war conducted through angry letters to the editor in the local paper

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How does the adjective wordy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wordy are diffuse, prolix, and verbose. While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity.

a wordy speech

When would diffuse be a good substitute for wordy?

The synonyms diffuse and wordy are sometimes interchangeable, but diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style.

diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

When is it sensible to use prolix instead of wordy?

The words prolix and wordy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details.

habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

When can verbose be used instead of wordy?

While in some cases nearly identical to wordy, verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.

the verbose position papers

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 wordy Airing on October 6, the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris included a question on the Middle East to which Harris initially gave a meandering, wordy answer. —

Alena Botros, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024 In the clip, Harris gave a wordy answer when Whitaker confronted her about Netanyahu seeming to not listen to the U.S. about how to handle conflict in the Middle East. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 There are all the hallmarks of the Spanish master: sumptuous interiors splashed with vibrant colors; rich, wordy roles for layered female characters; life-and-death stakes woven into the fabric of the everyday. —

Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024 But with wordy state statutes and police departments setting their own policies, requesting the records can be confusing. —

Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wordy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wordy

Adjective

His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.

Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
There is more than 178 feet of beach and ocean frontage, which can be accessed via a rambling wooden staircase.

Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024