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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

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 laconic Mull had his laconic delivery and blonde mustache; Flaherty was tall and gawky, a human Adam’s apple. Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024 But Snoop Dogg the MC, the laconic voice who defined West Coast gangsta rap in the ’90s, never left us. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Set in writer-director Sierra Falconer’s old stomping grounds — among the cozy, neighborly community that surrounds a scenic lake in northern Michigan — the pleasantly laconic anthology film debuted in U.S. dramatic competition at Sundance. Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025 Audiences have often struggled with his oddball and laconic tendencies, and The Return only gave people more to complain about, what with its dense mysteries that veered far from the coffee-and-donuts shenanigans of its network-TV run. K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laconic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • Refine your key points to be clear and concise—no rambling monologues.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • As the celebration on the floor dispersed to make way for the second national semifinal, Clayton could be seen greeting every teammate and staffer who offered a handshakes or a hug with a concise message.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But that learning curve can be steep, isolating and — too often — silent.
    Yolanda Wiggins, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Even more telling, there was virtually no difference in data consumption, battery use, and background activity between the audio room tests and the silent room tests.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • During a brief news conference, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said officials could not take questions, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Who better to go searching for unidentified flying objects than a snobbish TV host and a reserved extraterrestrial enthusiast?
    Geordon Wollner, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • There are two color schemes to choose between—a reserved palette featuring navy blue and green for a calm, sophisticated look; and a vibrant rainbow palette for those who enjoy bright, energetic colors.
    Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city.
    Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
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
  • Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After all, it’s been days since she’s had a morsel, and she’s got a taciturn little lion hunter in the oven!
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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