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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 Context Forty years ago in Azerbaijan in the south Caucuses region of western Asia, the laconic lethargy of Soviet bulk wine production was walloped by planned vineyard destruction. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 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 The story follows a laconic teen named Cécile, here played by Lily McInerny, who is summering with her widowed father, Raymond (Claes Bang), and his paramour-du-jour Elsa (Nailia Harzoune). Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 1 May 2025 His laconic, weary speech contrasts with the more expansive, and at times mannered, language of the voice on the tapes. Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laconic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • McVey, 28, has reaped a personal bonus from the concise coaching: he’s been freed up to develop his game by not having to direct traffic as much.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Then draft a concise, personalized cover letter highlighting my strongest fit points.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The speech marked the foundation of an independent Vietnam after nearly a century of French colonial rule and a brief Japanese occupation during World War II, but the French did not recognise the new country and fought a decade-long war, which ended with their defeat in 1954.
    Phuong Nguyen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In brief, the basic issue is the Second Amendment in a secular country.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The reigning Super Bowl champs better hope that’s the dumbest thing that one of their players does this season.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes, actors play a slightly dumber iteration of themselves; think James Van Der Beek in Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 and Liam Neeson in Life’s Too Short (a performance that got Neeson cast in this year’s The Naked Gun).
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empire’s work-and-starve-to-death slaves.
    Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The journey is comfortable, with reserved seats, onboard restrooms, and no worries about parking or crowded overlooks.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Garnish with reserved fennel fronds.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Classical minimalism, meant to evoke modest virtue and restrained power, is a good style for a democratic state.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The sizable rooms offer a restrained elegance, with white marble bathrooms, mid-century modern furniture, and black-and-white photos of striking architecture on the walls.
    Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The film follows a young drifter and a taciturn trucker who link up and forge a precarious bond on Mexico’s dangerous highways.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee).
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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