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 Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025
Then the teenager gave a brief interview with the press, which was soon picked up by papers all over the world.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Kenneth Obel, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
The judge directed the parties to file additional briefs in the coming days and scheduled a hearing on the motion seeking Mahdawi’s release for next week, on April 30.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
David Ubben, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Tellingly, however, Harris’ offer to visit Wisconsin was rejected as a potential distraction during early voting, according to people briefed on the discussions.
—New York Times, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
Schatz himself was unwilling to discuss his internal whip count in a brief hallway interview.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025
Then the teenager gave a brief interview with the press, which was soon picked up by papers all over the world.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
More than 500 firms have joined a legal brief challenging the president’s actions.
—Kenneth Obel, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
The judge directed the parties to file additional briefs in the coming days and scheduled a hearing on the motion seeking Mahdawi’s release for next week, on April 30.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Tennessee officials were frustrated with the ongoing negotiations, said a source briefed on those conversations, but were hopeful for an amicable resolution.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Tellingly, however, Harris’ offer to visit Wisconsin was rejected as a potential distraction during early voting, according to people briefed on the discussions.
—New York Times, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
Refine your key points to be clear and concise—no rambling monologues.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
As the celebration on the floor dispersed to make way for the second national semifinal, Clayton could be seen greeting every teammate and staffer who offered a handshakes or a hug with a concise message.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After a short ceremony, the church will open to the public from: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday: 7 a.m. to midnight Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Letters to the editor are usually short and to the point.—
Elizabeth Keifer,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 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
-
Temperatures in 2025 The announcement about the assessment comes days after March temperature summaries showed warmer than normal temperatures across much of the world.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
This information is not a complete summary and does not constitute a recommendation.—
Andrew Sukhin,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Dragon is the only currently operational cargo craft with this return-to-Earth capability; the others are designed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere when their missions conclude.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Its measurements of ocean salinity and temperatures inform Navy operations, according to the Council on Strategic Risks, a nonpartisan security policy institute in Washington.—
Abrahm Lustgarten,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Becky, having seen Darlene and Chad together at the bar, informs Ben about Chad.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The five Missouri students aren’t publicly named in the lawsuit, but their backgrounds are summarized.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Motorola’s new flip phones include AI tools that can do things like analyze what’s on a phone’s screen to provide suggestions and summarize notifications.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Obstetricians say, at the end of the day, AFE is really just a product of bad luck, and there's little that can be done to prevent it.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
These little bottles command three-figure price tags.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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