succinct

adjective

(ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋ(k)t How to pronounce succinct (audio)
Definition of succinctnext
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning a pocket guide that provides succinct explanations for rules of grammar and punctuation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And, to be succinct, shows like A Different World, Black-ish, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and The Cosby Show are staples in my home. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025 Make sure your stories are succinct and thoughtful without bragging. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025 After multiple rounds, the result is a succinct proof that effectively vouches for the correctness of all included subproofs. —Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Bitcoin Magazine was more succinct, denigrating the Trump token offering on X. —Brady Dale, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for succinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for succinct
  1. concise
  2. brief
  3. summary
Adjective
  • In this comprehensive yet concise history of modern polar exploration, Shubin, a professor of evolutionary biology, mixes urgent scientific findings about glaciers and sea-level rise with prescient geopolitical histories of Arctic territorial disputes.
    — The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Her offbeat style and charming eccentricity informed the concise lineup in which high and low were intentionally merged.
    — WWD, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of concise
Adjective
  • The Kurdish people have had a complicated relationship with Erdogan, who courted them during his early years in power by granting them more rights and reversing restrictions on the use of their language, and worked on the brief peace process with the PKK.
    — Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The world in brief Expert claims Russia violating rights BANGUI, Central African Republic -- An independent investigator is claiming United Nations peacekeeping forces and Russian mercenaries are carrying out human rights violations in the Central African Republic.
    — Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Organized labor wanted to institute procedural reforms to ensure that officers were given opportunities to correct bad behavior before being let go—no more summary firings.
    — Marc J. Dunkelman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Sure enough, the summary destruction of that lonely Russian tank became fodder for the Phoenix drone group’s social media team.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of summary

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“Succinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/succinct. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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