briefest
Least wordy option
Briefest is the superlative of brief—the shortest in duration or length.
A speech might be the briefest of the evening, lasting only moments.
Someone might offer the briefest of nods or the briefest glimpse.
The word emphasizes extreme shortness: In the briefest possible terms, we're broke.
Least long of all
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
instantaneous · quickest · flash · blink · heartbeat · split-second · passing · swift
Abrupt and dismissive
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- gruffHarsh in manner
- clippedCut or trimmed briefly
short · tart · dismissive · offhand · perfunctory · impatient · snippy · sharp
Expressed with minimal words
- pithyConcise and forceful
- laconicBrief in expression
- terseBrief to bluntness
- compactTightly packed together
crisp · economical · incisive · compressed · epigrammatic · telegraphic · aphoristic · elliptical
shortest
Least long of all
ephemeral · instantaneous · quickest · flash · blink · heartbeat · split-second · passing · swift · rapid
brusque
Abrupt and dismissive
clipped · short · tart · dismissive · offhand · perfunctory · impatient · snippy · sharp · cold
succinct
Expressed with minimal words
compact · crisp · economical · incisive · compressed · epigrammatic · telegraphic · aphoristic · elliptical · synoptic
synopsis
Condensed version of content
recap · digest · précis · sketch · capsule · snapshot · thumbnail · blurb · roundup · summary
briefestlongest
Greatest in extent
lengthiest · interminable · eternal · everlasting · long
- fully briefedGiven complete information