variants
or elliptic
1
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the poet's elliptical style is such that the reader often senses that an allusion is being made—but to what exactly?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
his elliptical replies can seem rude to some people, but that's just his way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elliptical
Known as Kosmos 482 and originally designed to parachute down to the surface of Venus, the armored capsule had spent 53 years marooned in an elliptical orbit before its fiery re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
However, due to a malfunction in its launch vehicle, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth's orbit and had remained trapped in an elliptical orbit since March 1972.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Kosmos 482 launched toward Earth's hellishly hot sister planet in 1972, but a problem with its rocket stranded the spacecraft in an elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025
Unlike a circular or an elliptical orbit, the spacecraft’s path in hyperbolic orbit won’t keep it orbiting around Mars.
—Piyush Mehta, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
However, due to a malfunction in its launch vehicle, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth's orbit and had remained trapped in an elliptical orbit since March 1972.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Kosmos 482 launched toward Earth's hellishly hot sister planet in 1972, but a problem with its rocket stranded the spacecraft in an elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025
Unlike a circular or an elliptical orbit, the spacecraft’s path in hyperbolic orbit won’t keep it orbiting around Mars.
—Piyush Mehta, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
-
The moment helped confirm a romance that had been rumored for several months following several cryptic Instagram posts.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen.—
Benjamin C Tankersley,
Washington Post,
1 Feb. 2023
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This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans.—
Maya Polton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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This epic yet concise 90-minute local history melange is told through short vignettes.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
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Complex questions produced up to six times more carbon dioxide emissions than questions with concise answers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
These beers had previously been included within larger, more ambiguous lager categories for the Great American Beer Festival competition, but the Brewers Association says the uniqueness and growing popularity of these styles warrants individual guideline recognition.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Tipping for other services may be more ambiguous and recommended as a dollar amount instead, like $10 per hour or $5 per bag carried or shuttle driven.—
Katie Kelton,
Boston Herald,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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In a brief exchange with reporters on Friday, Carney addressed questions about the breakdown in talks.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
29 June 2025
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For a brief moment, everything seemed to be going according to plan.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Outside of the players, the series did leave several survivors, including the game’s enigmatic overseer, The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who ended his time on the series by tracking down Gi-hun’s estranged daughter, Ga-yeong (Jo Ah-in), in Los Angeles.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
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Or, is this high-profile loss, and others of recent vintage, for the middle lane of the Democratic Party due more to poor centrist standard-bearers (and enigmatic extremists) rather than the actual political positions themselves?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 June 2025
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Long-winded or hesitant responses in meetings meet with a curt response.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe had died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
25 June 2025
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Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, one of blunt force trauma, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman told Judge Kimberly Menninger during Monday’s hearing, drawing gasps from the owners in the courtroom gallery.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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