Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective compendious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of compendious are concise, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

In what contexts can concise take the place of compendious?

The words concise and compendious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When might laconic be a better fit than compendious?

The synonyms laconic and compendious are sometimes interchangeable, but laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for compendious?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When is succinct a more appropriate choice than compendious?

In some situations, the words succinct and compendious are roughly equivalent. However, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When can summary be used instead of compendious?

The meanings of summary and compendious largely overlap; however, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When is it sensible to use terse instead of compendious?

Although the words terse and compendious have much in common, 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 compendious In The Great Miscalculation: The Race to Save New York City’s Citicorp Tower (New York University Press, $27.95), Michael M. Greenburg goes into compendious detail about the debacle. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 The curious thing about this compendious, scrupulously researched biography, so rich in basketball and cultural lore, is that the best parts are not about basketball at all. Thomas Beller, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023 Although employment has begun to recover, the need to create jobs has prompted several Indian states to suspend many of the country’s compendious labour regulations. The Economist, 27 June 2020 Another documents the founding in 1974 — by Joan Nestle, Deborah Edel, Sahli Cavallaro, Pamela Olin and Julia Stanley — of a compendious and still-growing register of lesbian culture called the Herstory Archives. Julianne McShane, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2019 Nonetheless, astronomers and astrophysicists came together to write a single compendious paper about the event. Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, 16 Oct. 2017 Each event centered on performances of a supreme, compendious Bach masterpiece. James R. Oestreich, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compendious
Adjective
  • Being able to place the device on someone’s head would allow for more comprehensive brain monitoring.
    Paul McClure May 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2025
  • Our comprehensive analysis of Salesforce, across key indicators like Growth, Profitability, Financial Stability, and Downturn Resilience, reveals that the company continues to demonstrate very strong operational performance and a robust financial condition.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • In a concise 30-to-45-minute session, volunteers learn to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions, validate the veterans' experience, and expedite referral to services—summarized by the acronym SAVE.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025
  • Scheduling a concise daily standup meeting can keep alignment tight.
    Max Avery, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Advanced segmentation goes even further, using new technologies to conduct more thorough, precise analysis of customers' profiles, behavior and habits—all within a short period of time.
    Nataliya Andreychuk, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Just a brief walk from the preserve’s entrance, this unique grotto reveals a stunning 50-foot waterfall cascading into a jade-green pool.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
  • India is emerging after a brief conflict with Pakistan, with a ceasefire thankfully appearing to hold for now.
    Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • This thing looks like a travel-sized deodorant and somehow sounds better than your full home speaker setup.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
  • Its immediate expansions and 1999 sequel moved away from these fictional cities, but a full trilogy of early 2000s-era games each centered on one location from the original game apiece with GTA III (2001) set in Liberty City, followed by Vice City (2002) and San Andreas (2004).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Deputy Attorney General Drew Ensign struggled to answer a barrage of Boasberg’s questions during a Thursday hearing in Washington’s federal court, home to a multi-week standoff over President Trump’s executive power to exert summary deportations in the name of national security.
    David Catanese, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Right whales are identified by individual markings on their heads and bodies, with extensive photo catalogues managed by the New England Aquarium.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Zoom provides an extensive knowledge base, and chat is available 24/7.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • This 37-mile barrier island, just off Route 50, invites visitors to explore hiking trails in the nearby Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, paddle calm bays, or climb the historic Assateague Lighthouse for panoramic views.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
  • There’s an observation deck with panoramic city views, as well as a nightly signature salute for veterans that bathes the monument in red, white and blue.
    Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compendious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compendious. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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