What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
synoptic
Example
The synoptic report provided a comprehensive overview of the company's financial performance. [synoptic: adjective]
Example
The professor gave a synoptic lecture on the history of art. [synoptic: adjective]
brief
Example
Can you give me a brief summary of the article? [brief: adjective]
Example
The lawyer presented a brief argument in court. [brief: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brief is more commonly used than synoptic in everyday language. Brief is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while synoptic is less common and is typically used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between synoptic and brief?
Synoptic has a more formal and scholarly connotation, while brief can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, synoptic is more formal than brief.
