concise

adjective

kən-ˈsīs How to pronounce concise (audio)
Definition of concisenext
as in summary
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a concise article on violence in the media that manages to say more than most books on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective concise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concise are compendious, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When can compendious be used instead of concise?

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

a compendious dictionary

When could laconic be used to replace concise?

In some situations, the words laconic and concise are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for concise?

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

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When is it sensible to use succinct instead of concise?

The synonyms succinct and concise are sometimes interchangeable, but succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

Where would summary be a reasonable alternative to concise?

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

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would terse be a good substitute for concise?

While the synonyms terse and concise 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 concise In advertising, the mechanism for getting there is short, concise writing. —Hazlitt, 9 July 2025 Claude calls these styles, and a variety are available to choose from, such as concise or formal. —PC Magazine, 7 July 2025 New talent: The return of Sander Lak with his new namesake sportswear brand brought a welcome jolt of his signature color and pattern in a concise collection of cool, casual pieces that evoked the West Coast lifestyle. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 Typically, these smarter, more energy intensive LLMs have tens of billions more parameters — the biases used for processing token IDs — than smaller, more concise models. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for concise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concise
  1. summary
  2. brief
  3. succinct
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
Definition of summary
Adjective
  • Individual games through an 18-week season are so variable that sports books generally don’t offer odds for every single game in a season for more than just a brief moment to create headlines.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • On a brief stakeout at two Duck World establishments, CNBC observed shoppers ranging from rambunctious toddlers to middle-aged tourists.
    — Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • 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
  • His messaging, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. described it, was succinct.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
Definition of succinct

Browse Nearby Words

concinnity
concise
concisely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Concise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concise. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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