Wendell Oswalt
Synonyms
Adjective
- aphoristic
- apothegmatic
- capsule
- compact
- compendious
- concise
- crisp
- curt
- elliptical
- elliptic
- epigrammatic
- laconic
- monosyllabic
- pithy
- sententious
- succinct
- summary
- telegraphic
- terse
- thumbnail
Noun
- abstract
- breviary
- capsule
- conspectus
- digest
- encapsulation
- epitome
- inventory
- outline
- précis
- recap
- recapitulation
- résumé
- resume
- resumé
- roundup
- run-through
- rundown
- sum
- sum-up
- summa
- summarization
- summary
- summing-up
- synopsis
- wrap-up
Verb
Examples of brief in a Sentence
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023
King Charles was one of the last big moves of the brief Chris Licht era at CNN.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023
Recent data has shown a brief rebound in China’s struggling economy has stalled, piling pressure on China's president Xi Jinping to spur growth with stimulus measures.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The appeals court ruled against Trump and lifted the stay in a brief order on Thursday.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023
In his brief message, the entrepreneur praised decisions taken in recent years by rival PDD Holdings Inc. to wrest market share from China’s e-commerce leader.
—Zheping Huang, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
And yet, for a brief moment after the truck appeared onstage, the entire room — one full of Tesla customers and fans from all around the world — fell practically silent in disbelief.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 Nov. 2023
How To Make Hot Chocolate Spoons Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:
Step 1.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2023
Lee’s brief cocaine period (circa late Seventies/early Eighties) was the only time substances ever crept into Rush’s performances.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023
His vision for ‘Akka’ grabbed Aditya’s attention and the project was greenlit instantly with a brief from Adi to make ‘Akka’ one of the biggest tentpole series that YRF Entertainment will ever make.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023
Barnett’s brief is due Feb. 20, followed by the government’s brief on March 21, and Barnett’s reply brief on April 11.
—Bill Bowden, arkansasonline.com, 22 Nov. 2023
The brief did not break out the performance of students who received subsidies to take A.P. exams, arguably the most pertinent group for policymakers.
—Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Before Halloween, Kardashian collaborated with Neymar Jr., to promote her new venture in menswear, which includes a range of SKIMS briefs, boxers, tanks and tees for men.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023
In exclusive behind-the-scenes photos shared with PEOPLE, Flynn, 30, reveals what's underneath his holiday-wear, including a tight pair of briefs (CK's Future Shift Holiday Low Rise Trunks to be exact) — and nothing else!
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023
But the College Board has released only the brief — not its study or its data.
—Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
The dispute has attracted input from a slew of pro-Second Amendment and gun control groups, Democratic lawmakers, and prosecutors and public defenders, who submitted friend-of-the-court briefs to the justices.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2023
Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 2 Dec. 2023
Though Jewish settlers who hold American citizenship can’t be barred from the United States, the Biden administration called on Israel to prosecute those who engage in violence, according to U.S. officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was briefed on the latest North Korean activities and ordered military readiness, his office said.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023
Biden would deliver remarks at 1:45 p.m. ET, the White House said, adding he was briefed multiple times Friday morning by his national security team on the latest developments.
—Ken Thomas, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2023
The candidate has been briefed extensively and may be expected to talk about strategy, vision, or risks.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023
However, Israel has only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians can flee the area of ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along the territory's main north-south artery.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Nov. 2023
However, Israel has so far only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians are able to flee the area of ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along the territory's main north-south artery.
—CBS News, 11 Nov. 2023
An Israeli source briefed on the hostage deal told ABC News that a batch of about 10 to 12 hostages will be released in Gaza each day during the cease-fire.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective
Middle English bref, breve, from Anglo-French bref, brief, from Latin brevis; akin to Old High German murg short, Greek brachys
Noun
Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis brief entry 1
Verb
verbal derivative of brief entry 2
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing brief
Articles Related to brief
Dictionary Entries Near brief
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brief. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
brief
2 of 3 nounbrief
3 of 3 verbAdjective
Middle English bref, breve "short, brief," from early French brief, bref (same meaning), from Latin brevis "short" — related to breve
Noun
Middle English bref "formal letter," from early French bref (same meaning), derived from Latin brevis "summary," from earlier brevis (adjective) "short, brief"
Legal Definition
brief
1 of 2 nouncalled also memorandum
Note: Briefs are filed either by a party or an amicus curiae with a court usually regarding a specific motion (as for summary judgment) or point of law.
brief
2 of 2 transitive verbNoun
Old French bref, brief letter, writ indicating legal proceedings, from Late Latin brevis, breve short document, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective, short
More from Merriam-Webster on brief
Nglish: Translation of brief for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of brief for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brief
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