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

Composer Maurice Jarre received royalties for the brief use of his leitmotif. — Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

The three battled against the D’Angelo Family for a brief time before Parker’s popularity rose in the brand. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Suitcases rolling away, too many bags and handles not fitting the hand properly all became part of the design brief for Series 3. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Amicus briefs in opposition by civil rights groups, industry workers, and First Amendment advocates are sounding the alarm and must be taken into account. — Abigail Disney, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

The senator also asked for the Senate Intelligence Committee to be briefed on these talks. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly spoke to billionaire Dan Friedkin's group last week and got a full report, and representatives from the 32 current teams were briefed on the situation with no timetable to consider a possible vote on adding a 33rd. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing brief

• hold a brief for
• in brief