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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective laconic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of laconic are compendious, concise, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

Where would compendious be a reasonable alternative to laconic?

Although the words compendious and laconic have much in common, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is concise a more appropriate choice than laconic?

The words concise and laconic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

How is pithy related to other words for laconic?

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

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When might succinct be a better fit than laconic?

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

a succinct letter of resignation

When can summary be used instead of laconic?

The meanings of summary and laconic largely overlap; however, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

In what contexts can terse take the place of laconic?

While in some cases nearly identical to laconic, terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Examples 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 laconic Given the laconic director’s enduring appeal among art house buyers and the film’s all-star cast, there’s certain to be a run on Jarmusch’s first feature since 2019’s The Dead Don’t Die. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2024 Vinny arrives with his strong-willed, sarcastic girlfriend Mona Lisa (Marisa Tomei), and the culture clash between the back-talking Italian Americans and the laconic Southern trial judge puts the defendants at risk. Danny Horn, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2024 Eastwood's antihero set a template for laconic dudes to follow, from Boba Fett to the Ghoul. 47. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024 Typically of the laconic 38-year-old, his assessment was long on technical points, short on emotion. Bob Gillespie, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for laconic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • The new Bose Smart soundbar has A.I. Dialogue Mode that elevates the crispness of the speaker onscreen to fight this, offering clear, concise dialogue that's a breeze to hear in the mix.
    Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Preferring fast-moving social media like TikTok, this generation is used to absorbing fast and concise information.
    Boris Abaev, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Wearing a dark grey suit, Williams mostly sat silent and stared ahead as the Trans’ relatives spoke Tuesday.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Because there are typically no symptoms until the first fracture occurs, osteoporosis is considered a silent disease.
    Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • After a brief impression of Judy, Paris offered some insight into one of the girls’ foremost comedic influences growing up.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
  • In brief bursts Friday night at Ball Arena, a rowdy crowd told Valeri Nichushkin all is forgiven.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • By that time, most of the people who came to watch had cleared the sales floor for the more inviting environs of their idling black cars or their reserved table at Mr. Chow.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Breznik’s husband, Matjaž, a reserved and soft-spoken man, is her sous-chef.
    Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Virtual Assistant was able to relay what participants said almost perfectly, as well as break things down into summary topics.
    Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 23 Sep. 2024
  • April 3 — Ukraine discovers Russian atrocities in Bucha Russia's hasty retreat from Kyiv's suburbs revealed evidence of summary executions, beheadings, torture, rape, and other atrocities.
    Peter Weber, theweek, 14 May 2024
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • Madison plays Ani with her heart incrementally open and then slammed shut, her emotions playing out all over her face; Borisov is more laconic and more restrained.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
  • In the first half of the City game, Palmer seemed more restrained in his starting position wide on the right, illustrated by the touch map below.
    Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The south coast was covered by Risdon Beazley Ltd., a firm named for its taciturn founder and based in Southampton.
    Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Ever since 2008’s Taken opened up a surprisingly durable late-career reinvention for Liam Neeson as a taciturn action star of tough-guy dad thrillers, frequently dispatching lowlifes who mess with his family, it’s become the norm to expect more of the same.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near laconic

Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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