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 image of your mother being too sleepy to enjoy the spoils of her own hard work—or to even be fully present as her children enjoyed those spoils—struck me as such a succinct encapsulation of her sacrifice and her heroism, as well as their drawbacks. G'ra Asim september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025 Slight flexes like succinct and voicy jewelry paired with impeccable shoe taste are examples of how the costume designer highlights how fly many of us are that live here. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025 Harry is more succinct when Dex steps off the elevator. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 The school’s deputy, Amanda (Tracy Ullman), summarizes the situation with a succinct outline of her duties. Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for succinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succinct
Adjective
  • Full color pages, informative charts and concise articles also set the outlet apart from others.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Nor does the starring vehicle for Alexandra Daddario offer a concise, specific take to differentiate itself from Rice’s original — its own version of making Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) a Black man who falls in love with his maker.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • An earlier, brief ceasefire between Pakistan and the TTP, brokered by Kabul in 2022, collapsed later after the group accused Islamabad of violating it.
    NPR, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.
    Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on succinct

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!