variants
or elliptic
1
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the poet's elliptical style is such that the reader often senses that an allusion is being made—but to what exactly?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
his elliptical replies can seem rude to some people, but that's just his way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 elliptical
Biking, swimming, or using an elliptical or rowing machine are other good endurance activities that may help to reduce blood pressure.
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 May 2026
Operating in highly elliptical orbits, these next-generation satellites will provide comprehensive coverage of the entire Northern Hemisphere with modernized sensors designed to detect faint heat signatures from evolving ballistic and hypersonic threats, according to Northrop Grumman.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
Most blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies currently rely on elliptical curve cryptography for critical aspects of their security, the Google post said.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
This satellite, officially known as Kosmos 2589, was launched in June 2025 into a highly elliptical orbit alongside a smaller spacecraft designated Kosmos 2590.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 May 2026
Operating in highly elliptical orbits, these next-generation satellites will provide comprehensive coverage of the entire Northern Hemisphere with modernized sensors designed to detect faint heat signatures from evolving ballistic and hypersonic threats, according to Northrop Grumman.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
Most blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies currently rely on elliptical curve cryptography for critical aspects of their security, the Google post said.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
This satellite, officially known as Kosmos 2589, was launched in June 2025 into a highly elliptical orbit alongside a smaller spacecraft designated Kosmos 2590.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
Although Suki Waterhouse did confirm that she is set to attend, most of the couple's friends have been very cryptic about the status of their wedding invites.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Coaches and teammates have struggled to remain in contact with him, and AIyuk’s rare social media posts have been both cryptic and lacking clues about his football ambitions.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
But his run to fourth in qualifying at Phoenix, the first oval race of the season, turned heads.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
The ring features a 12-carat, oval Ceylon sapphire at its center surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds set in 18k white gold—by anyone’s eye, a beautiful piece.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Third, the tool helps design a concise, high-value one-page lead magnet to effectively capture email addresses.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Get concise answers to your questions.—
Dan Lamothe,
Washington Post,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
The entity known as Mother is left ambiguous, as is the tree inside the Cave of Wonders, but there are hints to their true nature.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
If a serious spending-reduction effort were somehow mounted anyway, the result would likely be positive for bonds — but ambiguous for equities, since the economic drag could easily outweigh the benefit of lower interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
After a brief trip to the locker room, Brunson quickly returned to the bench and eventually re-entered the game.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
The fact that no player had posted a tribute to the outgoing coach had raised some eyebrows until Van Dijk posted his own brief missive on social media.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Villains could hide in the giant banyan tree or lurk in the spookily dark new flotation room; a fight scene might involve someone crashing down the waterfall-wall in the centre of the wellness centre.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
From tasting menus that spotlight a single grain variety to butcher counters featuring specific heritage breeds, professional kitchens are translating obscure agricultural choices into experiences diners remember.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
What obscure motive lay behind this one?—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
