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
Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 July 2025
Here is just a brief sampling: Evan Phillips: Out for the season.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 18 July 2025
The other issue in the briefs centered on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Medina case restricting Medicaid beneficiaries from suing states for allegedly violating rights.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Officials briefed on the investigation described the action as a fact-finding mission, an effort to determine whether any laws have been broken and a spur to kick-start negotiations with the providers over transgender treatment policy.
—Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Adjective
Here's a brief profile of the 34-year-old Sun and his five NS-34 crewmates, using information provided by Blue Origin.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 July 2025
Here is just a brief sampling: Evan Phillips: Out for the season.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
The brief argued that prolonged blockages present a safety issue.
—Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 18 July 2025
The other issue in the briefs centered on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Medina case restricting Medicaid beneficiaries from suing states for allegedly violating rights.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Verb
The Trump administration has dramatically curtailed the ability for those facing deportation to be released from immigration detention, its latest effort to expand the scope of its sweeping immigration crackdown, sources briefed on the policy change told CBS News.
—July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Officials briefed on the investigation described the action as a fact-finding mission, an effort to determine whether any laws have been broken and a spur to kick-start negotiations with the providers over transgender treatment policy.
—Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brief
Adjective
-
Draft concise speaker notes, of a maximum length of 40 words, to accompany each slide.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Those include developing a clear and concise framework of the city’s role in disaster response, creating a city-specific recovery plan, clarifying the roles of the mayor’s office and City Council and updating disaster communication plan, policies and training.—
Jaelyn Rodriguez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
-
Along the way, people asked him to orchestrate short pieces, then conduct some sessions.—
George Bradt,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Thursday's weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global's flash PMI data will be closely assessed to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Nikhil Sharma,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
-
Focus now shifts to Thursday’s weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global’s flash PMI data to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Its analysis shows that searches with AI summaries reduce clicks, and their prevalence is increasing.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
-
The event is expected to attract more than 1.2 million fans and tourists, according to an economic impact summary released by the NYNJ Host Committee—the local body organizing the games—Bloomberg reported.—
India Brown,
Robb Report,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has targeted invasive Burmese pythons and iguanas for removal — a task Kimmel has taken on as a professional mission.—
Mark Price
Updated July 14,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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Families can also listen to short episodes of the Cow Tales Podcast and find more secret missions.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
Verb
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But in April, as dozens of her colleagues would soon find out for themselves, the UT Office of Sponsored Projects informed her the project was among several the federal government had terminated.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Locally sourced ingredients inform monthly specials that benefit local charities.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Rev's software currently offers AI models that can record, transcribe, take notes and summarize to aid legal professionals in their day-to-day jobs.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Instead of scrolling through links, users can now ask the agent to summarize articles, compare products or compile travel itineraries.—
Perry Carpenter,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since all the council members sit on the budget committee that voted and heard budget, little, if anything, in the budget is expected to change.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
-
The 2023 impeachment trial of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial on a range of charges including bribery and abuse of office, appeared to have done little to undermine his standing among voters.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brief. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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