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
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Recent Examples of elliptical
Known as Kosmos 482 and originally designed to parachute down to the surface of Venus, the armored capsule had spent 53 years marooned in an elliptical orbit before its fiery re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
However, due to a malfunction in its launch vehicle, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth's orbit and had remained trapped in an elliptical orbit since March 1972.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Kosmos 482 launched toward Earth's hellishly hot sister planet in 1972, but a problem with its rocket stranded the spacecraft in an elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025
Unlike a circular or an elliptical orbit, the spacecraft’s path in hyperbolic orbit won’t keep it orbiting around Mars.
—Piyush Mehta, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
However, due to a malfunction in its launch vehicle, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth's orbit and had remained trapped in an elliptical orbit since March 1972.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Kosmos 482 launched toward Earth's hellishly hot sister planet in 1972, but a problem with its rocket stranded the spacecraft in an elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 May 2025
Unlike a circular or an elliptical orbit, the spacecraft’s path in hyperbolic orbit won’t keep it orbiting around Mars.
—Piyush Mehta, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
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The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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The moment helped confirm a romance that had been rumored for several months following several cryptic Instagram posts.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 June 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
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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
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That’s compared to more concise models which required just 37.7 tokens per question.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
19 June 2025
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The researchers found that the reasoning models generated significantly more tokens, which correlate with CO₂ emissions, than the more concise models.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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The inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous Soon after his arrival in Saigon, Andrews mistakes an advertisement for a dubious massage parlor as a clue from a local contact.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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That’s negativity bias in action—the cognitive reflex to prioritize potential threats over neutral or positive cues, especially when the situation is ambiguous.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Include a brief description of the destination next to each code.—
Sharat Potharaju,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Now, the better part of two weeks after tactical Officer Krystal Rivera died in the friendly fire incident, investigators are still searching for the suspect who sparked a brief foot pursuit that ultimately led to the fatal gunfire in a Chatham apartment building.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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This deeply personal documentary dives into the legacy of Counting Crows and their enigmatic lead singer Adam Duritz, not as a nostalgia play, but as a raw and revealing look at identity, artistry, and the fine line between performance and reality.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 June 2025
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Her enigmatic portraiture graces the collections of billionaire businessman François Pinault and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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And Register Calibration: What reads as efficient in American English might come across as curt or even disrespectful in Japanese.—
Alessa Cross,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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Grumpy and delightfully curt, Martin gives up his successful career as a surgeon after developing a fear of blood and takes over as a general practitioner in a small seaside town called Portwenn full of reliably quirky characters.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The post came just hours after the singer shared an image of what appeared to be his hand holding a burning blunt, as well as what appeared to be a back and forth with what appeared to be a now-former friend.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
16 June 2025
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Prosecutors say Scott’s daughter was found lifeless and had suffered multiple blunt force injuries.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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