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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 His ability to be believable as both a laconic grump and a hysterically shrieking interrogator helps add some emotional grounding to Havoc, which otherwise indulges in Evans’s more-is-more-is-more ideology. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 The receding glacier left sandy soil along a laconic Kankakee River. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 The film’s honesty, whether loquacious or laconic, sears even more in the absence of a score. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025 Serving as an introduction to an engaging new artistic voice, the film captures a certain laconic, free-floating malaise and anxiety that are indicative of an emergent generational sensibility. Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laconic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • This means clear, concise disclosures on landing pages, in privacy policies and during any direct interaction.
    William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Conversely, Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, introduced himself to the public speaking Italian and Spanish, and greeted onlookers both in person and virtually with a concise speech about building bridges and fostering hope for a synodal church.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their work resists gentrification's silent displacement and instead champions intentional design, historical reverence, and generational empowerment.
    Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Plus, each drawer opens and closes smoothly thanks to the silent metal slide construction.
    Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • In 2013, Erdogan worked with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on the brief peace process with the PKK.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Economists and geopolitical experts, however, are more reserved in their appraisal of the agreement.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved marinade and toss to coat.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city.
    Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • And Belichick, known for being extremely press-shy and taciturn, has returned the favor by showing his affection for her on social media and beyond.
    Alex Apatoff, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • His character is taciturn, a mountain of a man who seems both fully controlled and ready to erupt, and Cage keeps you on your toes the whole way.
    Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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