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 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
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
There’s nothing wrong with epigrammatic rhetoric.
—Jon Meacham, Town & Country, 30 Oct. 2022
In recent years, the magazine has published several short, often epigrammatic poems by Simic.
—Hannah Aizenman, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2023
For the next 10 minutes or so, Godard, smoking his familiar cigar, meditates on this vexing, evergreen question with his characteristic intelligence, opacity and epigrammatic wit.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
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
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
There’s nothing wrong with epigrammatic rhetoric.
—Jon Meacham, Town & Country, 30 Oct. 2022
In recent years, the magazine has published several short, often epigrammatic poems by Simic.
—Hannah Aizenman, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2023
For the next 10 minutes or so, Godard, smoking his familiar cigar, meditates on this vexing, evergreen question with his characteristic intelligence, opacity and epigrammatic wit.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epigrammatic
Adjective
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Complex questions produced up to six times more carbon dioxide emissions than questions with concise answers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
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This epic yet concise 90-minute local history melange is told through short vignettes.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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After earning a reputation as a tackling machine at Syracuse, Clark signed with the Cowboys and quickly saw some brief work with the first-team unit during minicamp while Wilson was sidelined.—
Nick Harris
July 11,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
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Consider what those two third graders learned in their brief hallway squabble.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Human Rights Watch said M23’s efforts to consolidate control of Goma have involved possible war crimes, including the summary execution of civilians in February.—
Michela Wrong,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
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Unlike traditional employee income, business income does not always come with summary tax forms like the W2 at the end of the year.—
Vlad Rusz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epigrammatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epigrammatic. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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