Synonyms of brief

brief 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbrēf 

1

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning

a brief but crucial admonition to keep quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concise
• summary
• short
• succinct
• pithy
• terse
• curt
• blunt
• epigrammatic
• telegraphic
• compendious
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• sententious
• aphoristic
• crisp
• thumbnail
• compact
• capsule
• condensed
• abrupt
• shortened
• abbreviated
• apothegmatic
• elliptical
• meaningful
• brusque
• curtailed
• abridged
• substantial
• snippy
• meaty
• significant
• snippety
• well-turned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wordy
• circuitous
• prolix
• rambling
• diffuse
• verbose
• windy
• redundant
• repetitious
• enlarged
• long-winded
• tautological
• exaggerated
• circumlocutory
• expanded
• supplemented
• inflated
• tautologous
• pleonastic
• embroidered
• embellished

2

as in short

not lasting for a considerable time

fortunately, the meeting was brief

Synonyms & Similar Words

• short
• little
• sudden
• concise
• fast
• condensed
• shortened
• abbreviated
• summary
• curtailed
• abridged
• momentary
• succinct
• fleeting
• transient
• shortish
• pithy
• abrupt
• short-lived
• transitory
• ephemeral
• terse
• compact
• syncopated
• epigrammatic
• short-term
• compendious
• laconic
• crisp
• short-range
• cut-back
• impermanent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• long
• lengthy
• great
• extended
• far
• persistent
• endless
• prolonged
• interminable
• protracted
• unending
• everlasting
• permanent
• long-drawn-out
• longish
• long-lived
• overlong
• enlarged
• long-term
• long-range
• expanded
• supplemented

3

as in flash

lasting only for a short time

a brief flash of light

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flash
• temporary
• passing
• transient
• short
• fleeting
• momentary
• little
• transitory
• ephemeral
• evanescent
• short-lived
• deciduous
• fugacious
• fugitive
• impermanent
• short-term
• shortish
• interim
• acting
• provisional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• lasting
• endless
• eternal
• enduring
• unending
• timeless
• perpetual
• everlasting
• immortal
• ceaseless
• deathless
• lifelong
• undying
• persistent
• durable
• continuing
• long-lived
• dateless
• indestructible
• imperishable
• indefectible

brief

2 of 3

noun

1

as in summary

a short statement of the main points

a one-page brief of the intelligence report

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summary
• outline
• précis
• synopsis
• recap
• rundown
• summa
• résumé
• summing-up
• sum-up
• summarization
• recapitulation
• roundup
• run-through
• digest
• conspectus
• inventory
• encapsulation
• abstract
• sum
• capsule
• breviary
• wrap-up
• compendium
• epitome
• shortening
• curtailment
• abridgment
• abbreviation
• condensation
• simplification
• epilogue
• reprise
• streamlining
• rehash
• compend
• conclusion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

2

as in mission

a specific task with which a person or group is charged

the soldiers' brief was to secure the village from enemy attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mission
• job
• assignment
• post
• duty
• detail
• operation
• requirement
• responsibility
• business
• office
• obligation
• charge
• work
• promise
• need
• errand
• burden
• commitment
• labor
• commission
• nomination
• appointment
• designation
• pledge
• chore
• restraint
• compulsion
• constraint

brief

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to inform

to give information to

the lieutenant briefed his superior officers on the state of the enemy's fortifications

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inform
• tell
• advise
• instruct
• clear
• verse
• acquaint
• enlighten
• teach
• familiarize
• hip
• apprise
• clue (in)
• wise (up)
• fill in
• educate
• catch up
• alert
• let someone know
• lecture
• notify
• keep (someone) posted
• announce (to)
• assure
• disclose (to)
• advertise
• convince
• reassure
• warrant
• school
• certify
• tutor
• disabuse
• disillusion
• undeceive
• disenchant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

2

as in to summarize

to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)

his duties include briefing intelligence reports for the president

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summarize
• outline
• recap
• abstract
• recapitulate
• digest
• encapsulate
• boil down
• sum up
• reprise
• synopsize
• consolidate
• epitomize
• wrap up
• shorten
• condense
• curtail
• cut back
• abridge
• simplify
• shrink
• downsize
• streamline
• concentrate
• essentialize
• decoct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• prolong
• lengthen
• elongate
• expand
• protract
• supplement
• elaborate (on or upon)
• enlarge (on or upon)
• amplify

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brief

Adjective

Much like the character at the center of VisionQuest, the Marvel show itself went through a brief identity crisis. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2026

Future Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell hovers in the background and gives a brief interview, looking absurdly young. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

The preparations include drafted legal briefs and plans for litigation covering nearly every conceivable scenario. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Kinnear spends a significant chunk of his time on footballing matters and implemented a new leadership structure which saw the duties of a director of football split between a number of individuals with specific briefs. — Matt Slater, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Russini was not asked to participate in the review of her work, according to a source briefed on the process who was not authorized to speak publicly about the report. — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

In response, Republican Commissioner Matt Krause asked Waybourn to brief the Commissioners Court about how they are being used in Tarrant County. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing brief

• hold a brief for
• in brief