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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 Chris Lombardi, founder of Matador Records, recalls first pitching Perry’s idea to Stephen Malkmus, the band’s notoriously laconic chief songwriter, singer, guitarist and nominal leader. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 The story follows a laconic teen named Cécile, here played by Lily McInerny, who is summering with her widowed father, Raymond (Claes Bang), and his paramour-du-jour Elsa (Nailia Harzoune). Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 1 May 2025 More seriously, Baffert noted that he’d been pleasantly surprised by the increasing maturity Rodriguez had exhibited in training recently, which, in Baffert-parlance, is the trademark laconic New-Mexico-cowboy sort of praise that handicappers would do well to take seriously on Saturday. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 His laconic, weary speech contrasts with the more expansive, and at times mannered, language of the voice on the tapes. Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laconic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laconic
Adjective
  • The Journal Sentinel aims to provide both in-depth investigative journalism and quick, concise news updates.
    Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • Solution: The first step is to establish a concise cyber risk governance committee charter, a high-trust document that outlines the committee's responsibilities, authority, composition and decision-making boundaries.
    Phillimon Zongo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • With 66 distinct incidents logged between January and late June, the state has had reports of an array of mysterious aerial objects, ranging from glowing orbs and silent triangles to fast-moving disks and shape-shifting lights.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025
  • Once you’re negatively labeled, even your best work struggles to break through the silent barrier those words create.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Here is just a brief sampling: Evan Phillips: Out for the season.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Will Reeve, son of the late Christopher Reeve, one of the more famous Hollywood Men of Steel, makes a brief appearance in Superman.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 July 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
  • Human Rights Watch said M23’s efforts to consolidate control of Goma have involved possible war crimes, including the summary execution of civilians in February.
    Michela Wrong, NBC news, 6 June 2025
  • Unlike traditional employee income, business income does not always come with summary tax forms like the W2 at the end of the year.
    Vlad Rusz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tickets are $125 per person and include Turf Club admission, a reserved table seat, two appetizers, two drink tickets (for premium cocktails, wine or beer), and chips and guacamole for the table.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • By the end, Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece had spent five minutes of the county's weekly public meeting demanding answers as to why a construction worker had prevented her from parking in her reserved spot, marked with a cone.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • These moves have prompted concern among segments of Trump's base supportive of a restrained international role, raising questions about the administration's direction ahead of a crucial 2026 midterm election cycle.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • As Rick, Goggins got to show longtime fans and incoming members of his fan club a rarer side of the actor: quiet, restrained, in deep amounts of unspoken pain.
    Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • After sharing a meal together, Stahelski, who’s now helmed four chapters involving Keanu Reeves’ taciturn assassin, quickly endorsed Wiseman’s hiring to Lionsgate and producing partner, Thunder Road.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
  • And Katie, a taciturn woman in her 30s who has run away from her former life following a humiliating breakup, is played with sharp-eyed wariness and a fiery edge by Kate Rose Reynolds.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laconic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laconic. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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