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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laconic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of laconic are compendious, concise, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

Where would compendious be a reasonable alternative to laconic?

Although the words compendious and laconic have much in common, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is concise a more appropriate choice than laconic?

The words concise and laconic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

How is pithy related to other words for laconic?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When might succinct be a better fit than laconic?

The synonyms succinct and laconic are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When can summary be used instead of laconic?

The meanings of summary and laconic largely overlap; however, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

In what contexts can terse take the place of laconic?

While in some cases nearly identical to laconic, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

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 laconic In the laconic tones of a police report, Ibargüengoitia investigates the murders and their motives, the society and the profession - the oldest of all, but no less mysterious for that - which precipitated them. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 But Madsen was born to be the Lee Marvin of the 1990s — the kind of laconic brute who spoke softly and carried a sharp straight-razor. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025 The ideas of Solar Power — laconic pacing, a quest for inner peace fed through late ’90s and early-aughts folk-pop and alternative-dance filters — are not absent, but the execution is spiffier. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025 Chris Lombardi, founder of Matador Records, recalls first pitching Perry’s idea to Stephen Malkmus, the band’s notoriously laconic chief songwriter, singer, guitarist and nominal leader. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for laconic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • Springsteen obliged, with a statement that was at once concise and powerful.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Bednar’s response was concise, but hard to argue with.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed for comfort and performance, this exercise bike uses magnetic resistance for a silent, frictionless ride.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those reasons will spill out over time — certainly the silent Jem won’t interrupt.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The brief Bagley lead was filed on behalf of Mathew Shurka, an LGBT advocate who testified in support of Colorado’s law while it was being debated.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2025
  • And in what could be even better news—for everyone other than Matthews, anyway—his reign atop the earnings ranking is likely to be brief.
    Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So many of Black Rabbit’s subplots are confusing, boring, or dumb.
    Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Luis Jauregui, a professor at UC Irvine, is an expert in quantum physics who is smart enough to describe his work in terms that are foreign to a non-scientist, yet affable enough to explain it anyway, without making any non-scientist feel dumb.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.
    Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Remove from heat and stir in reserved ham and lemon juice.
    Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Klopp is less reserved on player welfare.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the after-hours, the black faille number styled with a silky lime-green tank top was at once restrained and opulent, just great for a night out.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After a brief talk with his stepson Brian (Samuel Bottomley), a taciturn young man with bloodied knuckles, Jem takes off on his motorbike, into a remote but, compared to his dull suburban home, lush and verdant wilderness.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Todd's second-ever screen role foretold his future prominence, as the taciturn Sgt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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