variants
or elliptic
1
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the poet's elliptical style is such that the reader often senses that an allusion is being made—but to what exactly?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning
his elliptical replies can seem rude to some people, but that's just his way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of elliptical
Comets follow highly elliptical orbits, taking them from the distant regions of the solar system to close encounters with the Sun.
—
Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Not depicted were two matching elliptical machines that faced the television.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
Halley, who used Sir Isaac Newton’s theory on elliptical orbits to help predict the next sighting of the comet, died nearly 17 years before the sighting.
—The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
So stationary bike, walking, elliptical, getting in the pool, taking away weight off of it.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elliptical 
Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Not depicted were two matching elliptical machines that faced the television.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
Halley, who used Sir Isaac Newton’s theory on elliptical orbits to help predict the next sighting of the comet, died nearly 17 years before the sighting.
—The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
So stationary bike, walking, elliptical, getting in the pool, taking away weight off of it.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
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Last night, scientists began to hear cryptic and foreboding warnings from colleagues: Go to the CDC website, and download your data now.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2025
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Darke is an Arabist who has written extensively on Middle Eastern culture, and her foray into this particular study was sparked by a cryptic zigzag pattern decorating a wall of her own courtyard house in Damascus.—
David Conrads,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen.—
Benjamin C Tankersley,
Washington Post,
1 Feb. 2023
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This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans.—
Maya Polton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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President Donald Trump has long had a tendency to namecheck high-profile figures in concise terms of affection or derision.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Below is a concise ABCD framework for proactive engagement: A – Activate Agency Stay Vigilant: Use AI with intention.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The forensic evidence might have been ambiguous, but Barnhorst said one thing seemed clear.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
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Near the end of the film, a few distinctly uncomfortable scenes steer us toward a heavier, more ambiguous tone.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But his dunk kicked off six straight points to start the third quarter, and Golden State didn’t trail again until Orlando rallied to reclaim a brief lead midway through the fourth quarter.—
Evan Webeck,
Orlando Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2025
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Following a brief fake-out, it’s revealed Owen survived his injuries sustained during the emergency, and has left the 126 to return to New York.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Iris, played by Heretic and Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher, is a gorgeous yet enigmatic young woman who looks something like Zooey Deschanel in her New Girl years but without her happy, slightly thoughtless enthusiasm for life.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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The second season takes the series’ tense atmosphere and twisty storyline to the next level, with more enigmatic threats and a psychological game with devastating consequences.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
TIME,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite, or maybe because of his curt demeanor, Dylan stands as the most honest of the group.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2025
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Fincher's direction is slick in this curt, creepy, and propulsive tale of domestic doom.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2025
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Its slender, sharp blades effortlessly cut through my thickest eyebrow hairs in need of trimming without leaving them with a blunt, boxy look, and its light, compact size is easy on my sensitive wrists.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near elliptical
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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