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
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Recent Examples of elliptical
Following the flyby, 2026 GD will continue along a 644-day elliptical path that takes it beyond the orbit of Mars before careening back towards the sun.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
One of its current projects is a high elliptical orbit satellite constellation for Earth observation of solar storms and space weather.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
However, the elliptical is a great low-impact exercise for improving cardiovascular fitness and joint health.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 6 Apr. 2026
The Orion capsule separated from the rocket's upper stage to enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
One of its current projects is a high elliptical orbit satellite constellation for Earth observation of solar storms and space weather.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
However, the elliptical is a great low-impact exercise for improving cardiovascular fitness and joint health.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 6 Apr. 2026
The Orion capsule separated from the rocket's upper stage to enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
But even in its most opposing moments, from its depths of disintegration to its peaks of pattern-building, Spirals/Viral has a cryptic unity.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
-
George traces mentalism back to the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece, who purported to deliver divine — and cryptic — messages from Apollo.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The ring features a 12-carat, oval Ceylon sapphire at its center surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds set in 18k white gold—by anyone’s eye, a beautiful piece.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
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Oval Glass Doors That front door with an oval glass inset?—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The festival’s footprint is also laid out in a sunny and concise area of the university campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Drawing inspiration from the Cape’s waters, the menu is concise yet innovative.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The problem with the exhibition is not the works of art on view, but its ambiguous premise, its unwillingness to define its terms and approach the Lost Cause with historical clarity.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The services can analyze all sorts of things, from the specific — such as a hotel bill that exceeded a preset limit — to the more ambiguous, such as whether a lawyer’s description of a task was too vague to be worthy of payment.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Large hail and a brief tornado can’t be ruled out, mainly in eastern Kansas into far northwest Missouri, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The brief scene required five days of shooting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Set dark green pieces aside separately.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Thanks to its high altitude and exceptionally dark skies, this location offers stunning views of the Milky Way and countless stars.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Enforcement will soon begin on an obscure New York City law passed in 2009 that requires most businesses to replace traditional solid roll-down security gates with versions that are at least 70% transparent.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Upon finding an obscure Latin translation of Howard’s in Nancy’s notebook, Mary realizes the two were having an affair before her death and confronts Howard, who vehemently denies any involvement with Nancy.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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