verbose

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective verbose differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of verbose are diffuse, prolix, and wordy. While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.

the verbose position papers

When can diffuse be used instead of verbose?

The words diffuse and verbose can be used in similar contexts, but diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style.

diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

When would prolix be a good substitute for verbose?

The meanings of prolix and verbose largely overlap; however, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details.

habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

When might wordy be a better fit than verbose?

Although the words wordy and verbose have much in common, wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity.

a wordy speech

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Cite this Entry

“Verbose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbose. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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