Synonyms of concise

concise

adjective

kən-ˈsīs 

as in summary

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning

a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summary
• brief
• succinct
• pithy
• blunt
• terse
• short
• curt
• epigrammatic
• elliptic
• telegraphic
• crisp
• compendious
• aphoristic
• laconic
• compact
• condensed
• monosyllabic
• sententious
• thumbnail
• capsule
• abrupt
• meaningful
• shortened
• elliptical
• abbreviated
• apothegmatic
• brusque
• substantial
• abridged
• curtailed
• meaty
• brusk
• significant
• snippy
• snippety
• well-turned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wordy
• verbose
• prolix
• circuitous
• diffuse
• redundant
• rambling
• repetitious
• windy
• tautological
• enlarged
• long-winded
• circumlocutory
• exaggerated
• expanded
• supplemented
• tautologous
• inflated
• pleonastic
• embroidered
• embellished

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

Recent Examples of concise

McVey, 28, has reaped a personal bonus from the concise coaching: he’s been freed up to develop his game by not having to direct traffic as much. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Then draft a concise, personalized cover letter highlighting my strongest fit points. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

With Durant and Finney-Smith now in Udoka’s rotation — in addition to Sheppard’s improvement — their execution should be cleaner, more concise and more effective. —Kelly Iko, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

Mercury moves into Virgo, making communication concise. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025