succinct

adjective

suc·cinct | \ (ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋ(k)t

, sə-ˈsiŋ(k)t

Definition of succinct

1 : marked by compact precise expression without wasted words a succinct description

2 archaic

a : being girded

b : close-fitting

Other Words from succinct Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym A Succinct History of Succinct More Example Sentences Learn More about succinct

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Other Words from succinct

succinctly \ (ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋ(k)t-lē

, -ˈsiŋ-klē , sə- \ adverb

succinctness \ (ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋt-nəs

, -ˈsiŋk-nəs , sə- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for succinct

concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative. a concise description terse implies pointed conciseness. a terse reply succinct implies the greatest possible compression. a succinct letter of resignation laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious. an aloof and laconic stranger summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation. a summary listing of the year's main events pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance. a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment. a compendious dictionary

A Succinct History of Succinct

The history of "succinct" might not be short, but it's a cinch to remember. "Succinct" traces to the Latin verb succingere ("to gird about"), which comes from "cingere" ("to gird"), the word that gave us "cincture" and "cinch." The earliest uses of succinct meant "confined" or "girded up," and, as such, it was often used in reference to garments encircled by a band. Eventually, "succinct" was extended to the realm of insects, where it meant "supported by a band of silk around the middle" (as in "the succinct pupa of a butterfly"). Later, the word was applied to writings. A "succinct" piece of writing is "compressed" or "compact" and uses as few words as possible.

Examples of succinct in a Sentence

Other experts are in the business of selling their research. Alan Greenspan made his reputation and career as a partner of Townsend-Greenspan, whose clients were a who's who of old Wall Street. Successful research firms can command substantial fees, and buyers demand clear, succinct and unequivocal analysis and predictions. — Zachary Karabell, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2009 As Esther Benbassa recounts in her dry but impressively succinct and informative history, they arrived in the Roman province of Gaul in the first centuries of the common era, and soon found themselves trod underfoot by the ascendant Christian church. — David A. Bell, New Republic, 28 Feb. 2000 In his first work of popular science, English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking proves himself to be a master of vivid clarity. His title, " A Brief History of Time," is understated even by British standards; in 198 pages Hawking manages no less than a succinct history of cosmology, a concise explanation of general relativity and its intersection with quantum mechanics … — Richard Rhodes, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 1988 He gave a succinct overview of the expansion project. a pocket guide that provides succinct explanations for rules of grammar and punctuation

Recent Examples on the Web

The most succinct answer is: join your local activists. — Megan Lasher, Seventeen, "What Is Conversion Therapy?," 20 Nov. 2018 One of my favorite and most succinct quotes around all of this is [from farm worker organizer] Cesar Chavez. — Celeste Katz, Glamour, "America Ferrera: We Have to Fix Our Democracy Before We Lose It," 1 Nov. 2018 Each photograph is separated by protective paper that contains a succinct description: Phot. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Inside the Enduring Mystery of What Happened to Russia's Imperial Jewelry," 1 Nov. 2018 Considering the rest of the Pulitzers’ purview, the boast doubled as a neatly succinct piece of media criticism. — Maura Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, "Kendrick Lamar takes the prize at the Xfinity Center," 6 June 2018 Thankfully IGN’s got a more succinct version with all the Javelin types on display, but... — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Red Dead Redemption 2 PC release hints, No Man's Sky heads under the sea," 2 Nov. 2018 Listening also involves being succinct when talking so that others have the chance to speak, too. — Francesca Gino, WSJ, "Want to Run a Good Meeting? First, Take a Comedy Class," 26 Oct. 2018 In his speech Friday, Barack Obama offered a succinct explanation for the rise of Donald Trump. — Ezra Klein, Vox, "Ben Shapiro’s revealing explanation for Donald Trump’s rise: it’s all Obama’s fault," 7 Sep. 2018 Former Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer was more succinct about New York's new facility. — Doug Feinberg, courant.com, "Some WNBA Teams Downsizing Arenas To Help Bottom Line," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'succinct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.