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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elliptical
Veering between surreal interior monologue, scholarly criticism, and elliptical verse, Garza’s chimerical and metatextual whodunnit unsettlingly posits that no one—not the writer, and perhaps not even, or especially not, the reader—is truly innocent.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell has proposed the boundary should be lower, at around 80 kilometers up, arguing that satellites can survive certain elliptical orbits that dip to this height.
—Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when Cruz pressed Isaacman about the Lunar Gateway, a space station NASA is developing to fly in an elliptical orbit around the Moon, Isaacman would not be drawn in.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Impact level: Medium—more than the bike or elliptical, but less than running.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell has proposed the boundary should be lower, at around 80 kilometers up, arguing that satellites can survive certain elliptical orbits that dip to this height.
—Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when Cruz pressed Isaacman about the Lunar Gateway, a space station NASA is developing to fly in an elliptical orbit around the Moon, Isaacman would not be drawn in.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Impact level: Medium—more than the bike or elliptical, but less than running.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
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The crime scene was made more terrifying by a cryptic message the killer scrawled across a wall near the victims that demanded drug money.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
-
Fans immediately took the cryptic message as a subtle reference to the current state of their friendship, as the singer and fashion pro have been besties for over 30 years.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen.—
Benjamin C Tankersley,
Washington Post,
1 Feb. 2023
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This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans.—
Maya Polton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
This means clear, concise disclosures on landing pages, in privacy policies and during any direct interaction.—
William DeCourcy,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
Conversely, Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, introduced himself to the public speaking Italian and Spanish, and greeted onlookers both in person and virtually with a concise speech about building bridges and fostering hope for a synodal church.—
Gabriele Regalbuto,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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The two were previously involved in a morally ambiguous mission gone wrong, which led to Vincent murdering an undercover cop.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2025
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Even a brief moment of genuine connection, such as listening without judgment or offering warmth and presence, can encourage a survivor to finally speak.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
His early career, however, was marked by several more enigmatic turns in films like Clay Pigeons (1998) and Gus Van Sant's Psycho remake (1998).—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
9 May 2025
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The feature, based on an award-winning short, traces the story of an enigmatic old man living in the dunes who is unjustly accused of killing a local.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
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But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.—
Adam Goldman,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Vanney’s assessment of the loss was incredibly blunt.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
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Mallen’s character is a blunt, irreverent woman with a thick Southern accent, a tendency toward microaggressions and a talent for manipulation.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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