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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of elliptical
The ride travels on an elliptical track and whips riders around bends.
—
Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Air will automatically detect biking, running, walking, elliptical, and rowing.
—New Atlas, 8 May 2026
This elliptical, enigmatic sentence, with its palindromic form (not unlike that of the Heart Sutra), signals the main thrust of Pau’s work, which employs structures of looping, repetition, and recursion to explore the space of ambiguity and uncertainty.
—Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
The simple gym room is equipped with an elliptical, a couple treadmills, and weight-lifting systems, all with views of a glistening tributary of the Cubango River that flows through the property.
—Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Air will automatically detect biking, running, walking, elliptical, and rowing.
—New Atlas, 8 May 2026
This elliptical, enigmatic sentence, with its palindromic form (not unlike that of the Heart Sutra), signals the main thrust of Pau’s work, which employs structures of looping, repetition, and recursion to explore the space of ambiguity and uncertainty.
—Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
The simple gym room is equipped with an elliptical, a couple treadmills, and weight-lifting systems, all with views of a glistening tributary of the Cubango River that flows through the property.
—Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elliptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elliptical
Adjective
-
Thousands of fans have also been engaging with Nikki’s increasingly obsessive, unsettling texts, voice notes and special deliveries after encountering cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York, each featuring her obsessive messages alongside a phone number inviting them to reach out.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The ring features a 12-carat, oval Ceylon sapphire at its center surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds set in 18k white gold—by anyone’s eye, a beautiful piece.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Oval Glass Doors That front door with an oval glass inset?—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mahan, 43, might have won the night for those who prefer clear and concise rhetoric.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Emery was swift and concise with his words afterwards.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Text messages in court records show a brief and ambiguous exchange between McCluskie and Williamson that backs that up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The apparent conflict highlights the ambiguous rules around recall status and its relevance in a trial that’s been peppered with globe-trotting billionaires.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Most notably, there was never any true competition at center, outside of Johnson’s brief stint.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
In fact, Heilbrun doesn’t tell the story of Finn’s death at all, except for a very brief mention that sets the stage for the story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Baha Mar is large in stature, sure—and Rosewood is part of a three-hotel complex across the bay from Atlantis, which looms large and brooding over its own end of the water as everything Baha Mar does not want to be—dated, dark, and reminiscent of Spring Break Past.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Also fascinating were their contrasting likenesses, dark against light housed in the same being, a human eclipse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.—
Mary Ellen O'Connell,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers have also warned that excessive nighttime lighting can affect human circadian rhythms and obscure views of the night sky for much of the global population.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
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Their writings didn't always reference the pseudoscience and conspiracy theories found in obscure online hate spaces.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elliptical. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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