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
The high-altitude elliptical orbit required a boost on a Falcon Heavy rocket.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Jogging, for example, is very demanding on joints whereas stationary cycling and elliptical exercise are more orthopedically friendly.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 22 Aug. 2025
The minor-key piano theme with its sudden tempo changes and elliptical sound is a dizzying illustration of our protagonist’s internal angst, a perfect embodiment of the loneliness Coppola felt was his film’s fundamental idea.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Foliage is elliptical and blue-gray in color.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
Jogging, for example, is very demanding on joints whereas stationary cycling and elliptical exercise are more orthopedically friendly.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 22 Aug. 2025
The minor-key piano theme with its sudden tempo changes and elliptical sound is a dizzying illustration of our protagonist’s internal angst, a perfect embodiment of the loneliness Coppola felt was his film’s fundamental idea.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Foliage is elliptical and blue-gray in color.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
But Fellowes remains cryptic when asked about possible spinoff series or films.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Maine native has a history of using her outfits to send cryptic messages.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Wait for the oval green fruits to drop on the ground.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Another shot showed a closeup of Wei’s new engagement ring, which featured an oval diamond on a golden band.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Harnessing Technology the Right Way Mr. Espino has embraced artificial intelligence (AI), but with a focused strategy using concise and precise data.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Unlike Europe's clear regulatory framework under PSD2, American enterprises operate in a more ambiguous environment where implementation decisions must account for evolving compliance requirements and uncertain regulatory timelines.—
Dave Glaser,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Dani's on-again, off-again relationship with playboy photographer Andre — who's also her sister's ex's nephew — has become more ambiguous than ever in recent weeks.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a brief video snippet accompanying the post, Cyrus is seen in close-up staring directly into the camera while wearing what looks like surgical gauze around her chin and head as more white material is blown by a breeze around her face.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Broader market reactions have been muted, barring brief spikes in oil prices when Israel entered direct confrontations with Hamas’ crude-rich patron Iran and with other of Tehran’s proxies, such as Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.—
Ruxandra Iordache,Emma Graham,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Perseverance's adventures have revealed some insights about the enigmatic Martian geology.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Recommendations The Honanki Heritage Site, built by ancestors of the Hopi tribe, transports you to the 12th to 14th centuries with enigmatic cliff dwellings, pictographs and petroglyphs.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These and a few other basic elements recur throughout Martinů’s œuvre: curt themes, darting rhythms, tangy harmonies, glittering textures.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The pillow talk on Man’s Best Friend often takes the curt, assertive tone of a person reproaching a precocious pet.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Leslie had been discovered deceased in her upstairs bathroom, with the autopsy listing her official cause of death as blunt force trauma.—
Claire Lempert,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
By reintroducing the War title, the Administration is sending a blunt message and in cyberspace, America is not only defending but also going on the offensive.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share