as in concision
the quality or state of being marked by or using only few words to convey much meaning
the compactness of his prose requires a close, careful reading
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Recent Examples of compactness
It’s scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.
—
David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The Polsby–Popper test and the Reock Ratio compactness formula show the new coastal Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade county 25th District is the least compact in the state.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
If Florida redraws the map to get more of a partisan edge, some of those districts could end up splitting communities and lose their compactness, which makes the state vulnerable to lawsuits.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Congress can mandate independent redistricting commissions for federal districts, require transparency in the map-drawing process and establish clear, neutral criteria such as compactness, continuity and respect for communities of interest.
—Baltimore Sun, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
It's scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
It’s scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.
—David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Maps would prioritize population equality, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest, with no favoritism toward incumbents.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In addition to their defensive compactness — which forces opponents into low-quality shots — flexibility and impressive individual performances, Sunderland’s wide combinations are a major reason for their success this season.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The Polsby–Popper test and the Reock Ratio compactness formula show the new coastal Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade county 25th District is the least compact in the state.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
If Florida redraws the map to get more of a partisan edge, some of those districts could end up splitting communities and lose their compactness, which makes the state vulnerable to lawsuits.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Congress can mandate independent redistricting commissions for federal districts, require transparency in the map-drawing process and establish clear, neutral criteria such as compactness, continuity and respect for communities of interest.
—Baltimore Sun, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
It's scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
It’s scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.
—David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Maps would prioritize population equality, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest, with no favoritism toward incumbents.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In addition to their defensive compactness — which forces opponents into low-quality shots — flexibility and impressive individual performances, Sunderland’s wide combinations are a major reason for their success this season.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compactness
Noun
-
All the sweeping expansiveness snaps shut with a sudden health crisis for Kristen, its onset signaled with masterful concision in a middle-of-the-night calamity that leaves her helpless.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
This interview has been edited for clarity and concision.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The conciseness, the visual satisfaction, and the crucial interplay between image and word makes reading a good graphic novel—or, in this case, graphic memoir—an electrifying, transporting experience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
How much of his life, his desperate desire for success, greatness, had been prompted by his shortness?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The team’s mean average height is 6-foot-4 due to the notable shortness of main rotation guards Tre Jones (6-foot-1) and Rob Dillingham (6-foot-2) and two-way guards Yuki Kawamura (5-foot-7) and Mac McClung (6-foot-2).—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compactness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compactness. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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