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
David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The film also revisits the influence of Best during his time in the league and Cruyff’s brief but impactful spell in North America.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Ubah Ali, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
But the Upstate brief was different—both in scope and style.
—Julie Vadnal, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche are also scheduled to brief the committee behind closed doors on Wednesday.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
Both Guthrie and Kotb were crying during the brief portion of the interview aired on Wednesday.
—David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The film also revisits the influence of Best during his time in the league and Cruyff’s brief but impactful spell in North America.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
Burroughs said implementing an administrative stay and deferring ruling on the postponement gives both sides time to file briefs on the emergency motion.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
But the Upstate brief was different—both in scope and style.
—Julie Vadnal, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
But Democrats want a dedicated hearing on Iran and have asked War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to brief them publicly.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche are also scheduled to brief the committee behind closed doors on Wednesday.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
At their best, résumés summarize a candidate’s work and education in a concise and compelling format.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Be prepared, respectful, and concise.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rivers has received some second-round buzz, despite his shorter-than-average stature.—
Mike Kaye
March 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Woelfel says schools tend to have a greater focus on discipline than prevention – and also fall short on providing support to students after an incident.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 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
-
Create that profile or summary statement, frontload your strengths and best skills, write those descriptions of your best projects and achievements in jobs past, describe your volunteer and community work, share those hobbies and interests.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
-
In an email correspondence, Alvarado also shared his own summary of the event and the nuanced topic of separating the actions of one individual from a larger movement.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The mission of the nonprofit is to use the power of basketball and the influence of the Sixers to inspire future generations.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Further Artemis missions slated to build the Gateway space station in the moon's orbit and establish a permanent lunar colony.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Presidents have historically leaned on their national security officials to inform the public about their wars.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
When Jobs returned to Apple after the first demo, he was crisply informed by Raskin that he’d been had — PARC had withheld from him most of its most innovative work.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As summarized by Engelmayer, the documentary film chronicled Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam forming a dominant Jets defensive line, dubbed the New York Sack Exchange, in the early 1980s.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
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,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In this environment, there is little incentive for Netanyahu to push up the election date, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
When she was hired by Dia in 2015 after 12 years as a curator at the Tate Modern, Morgan brought very little to New York beyond books, clothes, and an enviable art collection, mostly gifts from artist friends.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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