Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective concise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concise are compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When can compendious be used instead of concise?

The meanings of compendious and concise largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When could laconic be used to replace concise?

In some situations, the words laconic and concise are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for concise?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of concise?

The synonyms succinct and concise are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would summary be a reasonable alternative to concise?

While in some cases nearly identical to concise, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would terse be a good substitute for concise?

While the synonyms terse and concise are close in meaning, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of concise 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 The Journal Sentinel aims to provide both in-depth investigative journalism and quick, concise news updates. Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025 Solution: The first step is to establish a concise cyber risk governance committee charter, a high-trust document that outlines the committee's responsibilities, authority, composition and decision-making boundaries. Phillimon Zongo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for concise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise
Adjective
  • Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empire’s work-and-starve-to-death slaves.
    Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • July’s consumer price index held steady at 2.7% year over year — slightly below expectations — offering a brief sense of relief.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After a brief evaluation, he was escorted by a trainer off the sideline and into the Dolphins’ locker room.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • About Bondi’s relationship with Trump, Wiles was succinct.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
  • All in all, this record player is a succinct option for the beginner or intermediate vinyl collector who doesn't want to spend a fortune.
    Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concise. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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