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

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 pithy The revisions happened quickly, and almost unilaterally: the editor chopped my prose to pithy morsels, erasing the darker tones and my allusions to past self-harm. Sarah Aziza, People.com, 14 May 2025 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi were both battle-tested in the art of verbal combat and pithy one-liners as Fox News regulars. Neal Rothschild, Axios, 4 May 2025 That is a pithy pep talk and can readily be understood at face value. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 At other times, a pithy quotation is like a tour guide handing you a delicious insight about the canyon, cathedral, or carving you’re gazing at. Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pithy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pithy
Adjective
  • The researchers found that the reasoning models generated significantly more tokens, which correlate with CO₂ emissions, than the more concise models.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 June 2025
  • That’s compared to more concise models which required just 37.7 tokens per question.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Now, the better part of two weeks after tactical Officer Krystal Rivera died in the friendly fire incident, investigators are still searching for the suspect who sparked a brief foot pursuit that ultimately led to the fatal gunfire in a Chatham apartment building.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • Following a brief stint in public relations, their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture publications such as Men's Health, Complex… Read More Read More On: Home Design News Phoenix Real Estate Like this article?
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pithy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pithy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pithy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!