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
Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The video includes brief clips of federal officers clashing with protesters.
—Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The request came earlier this month in an amicus brief the lawmakers filed in the criminal case against Epstein’s former girlfriend and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, whose files are also required to be released under the law.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In Meredith’s case, severe ear and neurological symptoms have made social interaction extremely difficult, limiting her to only brief visits with friends and family, as well as leaving her unable to work.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
Hoping for a brief respite from AI in tech?
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The video includes brief clips of federal officers clashing with protesters.
—Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
The declaration will last for seven days, but can be extended if the situation requires, according to a news brief with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
The request came earlier this month in an amicus brief the lawmakers filed in the criminal case against Epstein’s former girlfriend and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, whose files are also required to be released under the law.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Reds getting hit on their starters Teams continue to reach out to the Cincinnati Reds about their starting pitchers, according to people briefed on their discussions.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In Meredith’s case, severe ear and neurological symptoms have made social interaction extremely difficult, limiting her to only brief visits with friends and family, as well as leaving her unable to work.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
The company is also upgrading a proofreading option for checking grammar and making messages more concise.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Just across the street, Miya is a quirky, two-room Thai charmer with a relatively concise menu of curries, noodles, soups, salads and vegetables.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ehrlich noted the short careers for college athletes and wondered whether a union for collective bargaining is even possible.—
ANDREW DESTIN,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
This short-sleeve pullover top is paired with a wide-leg pant to keep me cozy just about wherever my day takes me.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To hear top analyst Tom Lee, of Fundstrat, describe the situation, farming never recovered from the invention of flash-frozen foods in the 1920s.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Discover has partnered with Google Cloud so users can access documentation summaries or request assistance to resolve issues.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Online, the advisory summary notifies tourists of the violent crimes that can take place, and can include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past five months, Crew-11 completed most of its mission objectives, supporting space station operations and conducting scientific research.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Later this year, UEL plans to expand those tests by flying additional components, including motors and electronics, on another Nuri rocket mission through a university CubeSat collaboration.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several speakers said their concern was less about state law itself and more about communication, questioning whether parents would be informed when their child seeks services.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Sources close to Cangé, who was promoted to his job without going through the normal police leadership channels, claim that he was informed by his supporters on the presidential council that the summons had been canceled.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some states offer helpful context, Maine provides video explainers, while Washington summarizes key policies, but few pair this with meaningful legal support.—
Ulrich Boser,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Sacramento Local Engagement & Retention Reporter Kat Tran contributed to this story by using AI tools to help summarize the original investigative story that was reported and written by Kate Wolffe and Nicole Nixon.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Sunday dawned sunny and clear with blue skies and little wind, allowing the climb to go ahead.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Carbon nanotube yarns are light yet lift little.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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