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 bustier portion featured a velvet material, and separately, the bottom portion and train included a succinct yellow hue. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025 Hints, Clues And Answers For Thursday, April 3 A succinct, high-impact profile captures attention and encourages the reader to explore your CV further. Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 His subsequent 30-minute address was a succinct tribute to the hope and optimism the incoming president offered in his campaign. Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2025 By aggregating multiple zk-proofs into a single succinct proof, the verification burden on individual nodes is drastically reduced, enabling faster and more cost-effective processing. Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Especially for athletes such as Revel who are fluid and concise with their footwork and have the physicality to match up with bigger receivers.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Inflation gauge cools ahead of Trump's tariffs, but spending climbs A key measure of inflation eased in March, offering a brief reprieve before President Donald Trump's new tariffs begin taking full effect.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The main threats will be damaging winds and large hail, but brief tornadoes can't be ruled out.
    Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city.
    Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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