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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elliptical
His anecdotes, by turns elliptical and jagged, can resemble Kafka’s fragments, though his tone is pop-eyed and modern in a way that suggests two of his other passions, Kurt Vonnegut and the Coen brothers.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
In Plattsburg, New York, Adirondack ElliptiGO is giving away full-day rentals of their stand-up elliptical bicycles to anyone with a Canadian ID.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Vertical, elliptical pupils: Unlike nonvenomous snakes that have round pupils, rattlesnakes have vertical, slit-like pupils similar to a cat’s eyes.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
One possibility is that the star is on a highly elliptical orbit, and at its perihelion (closest point to the black hole) some of the star's mass is ripped away — but the star managed to survive for another day.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
In Plattsburg, New York, Adirondack ElliptiGO is giving away full-day rentals of their stand-up elliptical bicycles to anyone with a Canadian ID.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Vertical, elliptical pupils: Unlike nonvenomous snakes that have round pupils, rattlesnakes have vertical, slit-like pupils similar to a cat’s eyes.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
One possibility is that the star is on a highly elliptical orbit, and at its perihelion (closest point to the black hole) some of the star's mass is ripped away — but the star managed to survive for another day.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
The countdown shows a glittering orange backdrop, with the cryptic clock in mint green lettering.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Prior to the announcement, the official Taylor Nation social media account—which is run by Swift's social media team—shared a cryptic post.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen.—
Benjamin C Tankersley,
Washington Post,
1 Feb. 2023
-
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 pick comes with a concise summary that gives you insight into the rigor of quality research and my approach to picking stocks.—
David Trainer,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Draft concise speaker notes, of a maximum length of 40 words, to accompany each slide.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The new legal landscape places greater responsibility on Congress to write less ambiguous statutes that more clearly recognize the different considerations—legal, scientific and policy—that go into writing effective rules.—
Susan E. Dudley,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The book leaves off on a more ambiguous note, as Eleanor explains that she and Jamie weren't meant to be together.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
4 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
-
Weapons is a movie about a local misfortune that then reveals the enigmatic villain behind it and delights in her comeuppance.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
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Perseverance's adventures have revealed some insights about the enigmatic Martian geology.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The judge was curt but courteous; a Spanish-language interpreter was available on a large video screen to his right.—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
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If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Some policymakers have advocated for blunt price caps as a quick solution to escalating drug prices.—
Rita Numerof,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
What the Internet Said Responses ranged from blunt warnings to bittersweet reflections.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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