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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time
fortunately, the meeting was brief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flash
lasting only for a short time
a brief flash of light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
a one-page brief of the intelligence report
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brief
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Some isolated downpours are possible, and while flooding is not expected, brief heavy rain could lead to a little ponding on roadways, especially in poor drainage spots.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 13 May 2026
ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Singer Tate McRae, for one, chose a sheer Ludovic de Saint Sernin golden minidress that deliberately exposed the bra and briefs underneath.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 2026
Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This comes as the Coast Guard Investigative Service probe into the disappearance of Michigan mother Lynette Hooker has intensified in recent days, according to a source briefed on the investigation.
—Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
As is customary for the exponentially gifted among us, Gilbert Chevalier’s gifts for playing football, not soccer, with its robotic evocation of socks and fouls, but football, poetic, sensual, democratic football, earned him triumph and glory and even a brief siesta on top of the world.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Some isolated downpours are possible, and while flooding is not expected, brief heavy rain could lead to a little ponding on roadways, especially in poor drainage spots.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Noun
Cariello, who works for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, was part of the outside legal team that defended Cox in its Supreme Court briefs.
—ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Singer Tate McRae, for one, chose a sheer Ludovic de Saint Sernin golden minidress that deliberately exposed the bra and briefs underneath.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 2026
Verb
Saudi Arabia launched multiple covert strikes on Iran in response to attacks in the kingdom, according to a Reuters report citing two Western officials briefed on the matter and two Iranian officials.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This comes as the Coast Guard Investigative Service probe into the disappearance of Michigan mother Lynette Hooker has intensified in recent days, according to a source briefed on the investigation.
—Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
Mahan, 43, might have won the night for those who prefer clear and concise rhetoric.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Emery was swift and concise with his words afterwards.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Lombard’s strong arm and slick glove would be underutilized if positioned away from short or third.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
-
The report said prosecutors at the time sought a significantly longer sentence, but a judge imposed a shorter term that drew criticism from the district attorney’s office.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The heaviest rain has shifted eastward, with the island of Molokai under a flash-flood warning on Sunday.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Kansas City will go from springlike warmth to winter fast as a powerful storm sweeps through Sunday, bringing damaging winds, a rapid temperature plunge with flash-freeze risk, and a quick burst of snow that could cut visibility, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
What began as a scouting mission ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup evolved into something much bigger.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
SpaceX has flown all but five of those with NASA’s Space Launch System on the Artemis II mission, a Blue Origin New Glenn mission and three flights from United Launch Alliance making up the rest.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
In December, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, began holding meetings to inform the public of the possibility of building more nuclear reactors within the state, hoping to entice a town to host one.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
As Jones informed Moore of the selection, the 6-foot-3, 198-pound outside corner made a bold proclamation to his new boss.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
The Vatican working group report summarized the work of experts studying controversial topics that emerged after Francis’ yearslong reform effort.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The hearts and minds of Braves players were on Bobby Cox on a sunny evening at Dodger Stadium before the middle game of a three-game series against the Dodgers — a game that meant very little, considering the news of the day.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
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The peas themselves are piled like cabochons over a thin pastry shell, dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and studded with slivers of pickled shallots that deliver bracing little sparks of brine against the crisp sweetness of the legumes.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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