Synonyms of pithiness

pithiness 1 of 2

noun

as in concision

the quality or state of being marked by or using only few words to convey much meaning

the memorable pithiness of Calvin Coolidge's campaign announcement: "I do not choose to run for President in 1928"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concision
• conciseness
• shortness
• compactness
• terseness
• crispness
• brevity
• succinctness
• sententiousness
• bluntness
• briefness
• abruptness
• brusqueness
• curtness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diffuseness
• prolixity
• wordiness
• verbosity
• long-windedness
• redundancy
• repetitiousness
• tautology
• repetitiveness
• periphrasis
• pleonasm

pithy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpi-thē 

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning

a fairly pithy criticism about a notably lengthy novel

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concise
• brief
• summary
• succinct
• terse
• aphoristic
• epigrammatic
• short
• curt
• blunt
• sententious
• telegraphic
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• elliptic
• compendious
• crisp
• compact
• thumbnail
• capsule
• condensed
• elliptical
• abrupt
• apothegmatic
• abbreviated
• brusque
• meaningful
• shortened
• substantial
• abridged
• meaty
• snippy
• curtailed
• brusk
• snippety
• significant
• well-turned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wordy
• prolix
• circuitous
• verbose
• rambling
• redundant
• diffuse
• repetitious
• windy
• tautological
• long-winded
• enlarged
• circumlocutory
• exaggerated
• supplemented
• expanded
• pleonastic
• tautologous
• inflated
• embroidered
• embellished

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pithy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pithy are compendious, concise, laconic, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When could compendious be used to replace pithy?

The words compendious and pithy can be used in similar contexts, but compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

In what contexts can concise take the place of pithy?

Although the words concise and pithy have much in common, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

Where would laconic be a reasonable alternative to pithy?

In some situations, the words laconic and pithy are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of pithy?

The words succinct and pithy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When would summary be a good substitute for pithy?

The synonyms summary and pithy are sometimes interchangeable, but summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When is terse a more appropriate choice than pithy?

The meanings of terse and pithy largely overlap; however, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pithiness

Adjective

If only Oscar Wilde were alive to offer up a pithy description of Broadway’s playful The Picture of Dorian Gray starring the remarkable Succession actor Sarah Snook, because this is a production that most of us will need more than a few words to convey all of its exuberant theatrical dazzle. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025

What might’ve seemed pithy or condescending in another movie becomes downright gorgeous, as each interviewee is bathed in monochromatic light, and shines like a precious jewel. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025

While Moreno often slides neatly into the slithering slime of his character’s underbelly, his tart turn as the pithy mayor is loaded with side-eyed sketch. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

And outside of fighting, your companions are always ready to offer some welcome contextual wisecracks or pithy advice in all manner of situations. —Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025