as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
Oscar Wilde's epigrammatic observation, "In America the young are always ready to give to those who are older than themselves the full benefits of their inexperience"
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Recent Examples of epigrammatic
The final section contains a collection of Akbar’s epigrammatic sayings.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
But these perfect, epigrammatic fragments almost always communicate some sort of longing, if not for a better life, then for a more convincingly stoic face to wear through it.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
Some who craft epigrammatic verse can sound hollow, like slamming together tins in hopes that someone will infer meaning from the noise.
—Nick Ripatrazone
july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
The dialogue itself, epigrammatic and substantial, stylized and expressive, is consistent with Kogonada’s over-all approach.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Though its action is depicted crisply and clearly, its epigrammatic shots aim straight for the viewer’s unconscious, making only glancing contact with the rational mind.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (1791) The best and most entertaining biography ever written in English — addictive for its prescient, informal, racy prose and Johnson's epigrammatic precision and enduring decency.
—The Week Staff, The Week, 20 Mar. 2023
Dylan is helplessly epigrammatic.
—Dwight Garner, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2022
Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
But these perfect, epigrammatic fragments almost always communicate some sort of longing, if not for a better life, then for a more convincingly stoic face to wear through it.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
Some who craft epigrammatic verse can sound hollow, like slamming together tins in hopes that someone will infer meaning from the noise.
—Nick Ripatrazone
july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
The dialogue itself, epigrammatic and substantial, stylized and expressive, is consistent with Kogonada’s over-all approach.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Though its action is depicted crisply and clearly, its epigrammatic shots aim straight for the viewer’s unconscious, making only glancing contact with the rational mind.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (1791) The best and most entertaining biography ever written in English — addictive for its prescient, informal, racy prose and Johnson's epigrammatic precision and enduring decency.
—The Week Staff, The Week, 20 Mar. 2023
Dylan is helplessly epigrammatic.
—Dwight Garner, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epigrammatic
Adjective
-
Emery was swift and concise with his words afterwards.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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While Mama was able to quickly identify the issue, Crocker says a concise web search also works.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Knicks even used their defense to grab a brief lead late in the half, forcing 10 Philadelphia turnovers before the break.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
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Nearly 25 years after the attacks, the royal couple laid a bouquet of white flowers at the edge of the south reflecting pool, honoring the lives lost — including 67 British victims — during a brief ceremony on a chilly but sunny afternoon in lower Manhattan.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 May 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
-
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epigrammatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epigrammatic. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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