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
As the moon follows an elliptical path, Saturn’s gravity stretches and squeezes it.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Instead, the solutions to an elliptic curve have a far richer structure — one that’s played a vital role in number theory for centuries, and that cryptographers have taken advantage of to encode secret messages.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 12 Dec. 2025
The result is digressive, elliptical, and occasionally absurd—and yet also genuinely revealing of the mental-health challenges facing pilots and the sometimes brutal social dynamics of the cockpit.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
This could be slow running, walking, or an easy session on the spin bike or elliptical, Agnew says.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Instead, the solutions to an elliptic curve have a far richer structure — one that’s played a vital role in number theory for centuries, and that cryptographers have taken advantage of to encode secret messages.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 12 Dec. 2025
The result is digressive, elliptical, and occasionally absurd—and yet also genuinely revealing of the mental-health challenges facing pilots and the sometimes brutal social dynamics of the cockpit.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
This could be slow running, walking, or an easy session on the spin bike or elliptical, Agnew says.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
By contrast, fringe subcultures operate in a more cryptic and chaotic manner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Heeding these cryptic words some three decades later, the audacious (and well-read) impresario Tony Wilson opened the Haçienda together with the circle of post-punk musicians and designers involved with his label, Factory Records.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The eight-piece set includes four mini cocottes, an oval casserole dish, a square baking dish, and a rectangular roasting pan with a lid.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Signature Oval Casserole For cooking tasks that require shallow sauteing, frying, or steaming, this oval casserole dish can handle roasts, whole fish, vegetables, and side dishes.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The company is also upgrading a proofreading option for checking grammar and making messages more concise.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Just across the street, Miya is a quirky, two-room Thai charmer with a relatively concise menu of curries, noodles, soups, salads and vegetables.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
Ben Jones,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
Ben Jones,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After a brief interlude outside for community members to reconnect, the pews filled up again.—
Camelia Heins,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The trailer shows Damon as Odysseus and brief glimpses at his life during the Trojan War (including the iconic Trojan Horse) and his years-long journey back to his homeland.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Don't feel afraid to play with bold (but dark) colors and various materials.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Open my soul to the vast dark places.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.—
Yossi Melman,
ProPublica,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Gardenia x daruma is an obscure dwarf hybrid that is hardy down to 20 degrees and, planted on its own, grows no more than three feet tall with small flowers and leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Advertisement The Epstein case is yet another reminder of how power can both obscure harm and suppress the voices of survivors.—
Mónica Ramírez,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share