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
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration.
—Graham Underwood, Arkansas Online, 4 June 2025
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
Generally speaking, Reichardt’s social commentary is only surface-scratching, the fractious Civil Rights dynamics and wartime unrest relegated to those TV news briefs, the protest posters papered on walls throughout town.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
As import bookings into the U.S. fell and ocean carriers began blanking sailings on the Pacific Ocean, trucking firms endured a brief period where cargo pickups out of America’s two largest ports—Los Angeles and Long Beach—plummeted.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
Wilders announced his decision early Tuesday in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration.
—Graham Underwood, Arkansas Online, 4 June 2025
Noun
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and a dozen local governments in Colorado filed briefs in the case, urging the Supreme Court to leave the lower court’s decision in place.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
Generally speaking, Reichardt’s social commentary is only surface-scratching, the fractious Civil Rights dynamics and wartime unrest relegated to those TV news briefs, the protest posters papered on walls throughout town.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Verb
McLaughlin told the Daily Mail that agency staff had a call with the producer last week but that Noem had yet to be briefed about it.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 May 2025
The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
In a concise 30-to-45-minute session, volunteers learn to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions, validate the veterans' experience, and expedite referral to services—summarized by the acronym SAVE.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2025
-
Scheduling a concise daily standup meeting can keep alignment tight.—
Max Avery,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
But in the end, like so often before, their effort fell just short.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
Each of them plays like a standalone vignette that could make a short film, and as with a short film program made up of multiple stories, some are stronger than others.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot. Updated 11:30 a.m. June 3, 2025: Because the bill’s summary was not updated to reflect legislative changes, this story originally misreported the final language of House Bill 1146.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
3 June 2025
-
This was the 21st flight for the first stage, including 13 prior Starlink missions, according to a flight summary on SpaceX's website.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Citing his mission as one of fiscal discipline, Musk has led the DOGE effort to eliminate certain federal offices, slash regulations and rapidly cut down the federal workforce, while reprogramming or removing some government websites, software and systems.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
-
The mission aimed to deploy eight Starlink simulator satellites and test the vehicle's reentry system with 100 removed heat-shield tiles.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Attendees had been informed of the location just 48 hours in advance.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
-
According to a source with knowledge of the matter, who, like all in this article, wishes to remain anonymous to protect relations, Earps informed Wiegman of her decision to retire in April, but the England boss asked her to reconsider.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Professionals across industries rely on these systems to draft emails, generate reports, summarize data, and even brainstorm ideas.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
In a recent review paper, our team summarized how chronic stress is a hidden but powerful factor underlying cognitive aging, or the speed at which your cognitive performance slows down with age.—
Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland,
The Conversation,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
This is incredibly damaging to career prospects and, given how little knowledge exists in mainstream medical and occupational health circles, can feel confusing and frightening for those who don’t know where to turn for advice.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
In Madrid, little is known about Bellingham’s social life.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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