Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective succinct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of succinct are compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would compendious be a reasonable alternative to succinct?

The meanings of compendious and succinct largely overlap; however, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is it sensible to use concise instead of succinct?

In some situations, the words concise and succinct are roughly equivalent. However, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When might laconic be a better fit than succinct?

The words laconic and succinct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How is pithy related to other words for succinct?

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

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When could summary be used to replace succinct?

While in some cases nearly identical to succinct, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When can terse be used instead of succinct?

While the synonyms terse and succinct are close in meaning, 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 succinct The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide-ranging 21-minute-long segment. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 2 July 2025 Be respectful, succinct and remember that speech is personal and some habits are hard to break. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 The Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations was succinct in summing up the state of the club’s pitching, which has once again been whittled by injuries. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 May 2025 This level of attention to detail is what got the Oakley name off the ground as well as astronauts into space, fostering a succinct vision for the future. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for succinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succinct
Adjective
  • This pick comes with a concise summary that gives you insight into the rigor of quality research and my approach to picking stocks.
    David Trainer, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Draft concise speaker notes, of a maximum length of 40 words, to accompany each slide.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • July’s consumer price index held steady at 2.7% year over year — slightly below expectations — offering a brief sense of relief.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After a brief evaluation, he was escorted by a trainer off the sideline and into the Dolphins’ locker room.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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