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Glite Dictionary
laconically

laconically

1 7.8
To speak or write using very few words and often sounding short
  • adverb
  • /ləˈkɒnɪkli/
translation icon : lacónicamente
  • "Exactly seven-point-four miles," he replied laconically, without a glance at the odometer.
  • says laconically
  • responded laconically

Examples

  • "It's Monday," the neighbor said laconically.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • "Stealing, most like," she said laconically, returning to the herb table.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Oh," I said laconically, trying not to show my hand.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "Could call it that," Andrew said laconically.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The sergeant laconically observed the new arrival before turning back to the reporting officer.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • "Yes, it's a fantastic luxury," he answered laconically.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Okay, but nobody's told me what we do if we actually find something." "I told him to rebury it," Carl said laconically.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "Fine," Rory answered laconically.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • As Crossman noted laconically, "Mr. Morse's funeral—some think he is alive yet, but I don't."

    Academic text (2014)

  • "Oh," I said laconically, trying not to show my hand.

Synonyms

briefly
vslaconically
414 1.0

For a short time or in a few words

focuses on terse dry wording rather than mere shortness
pithily
vslaconically
1 7.6

To say a lot with few strong words

is concise but often dry and seeming terse

Antonyms

wordily
7.9

To say or write more than needed about something

How Briefly

laconically
1 7.8
tersely
3 6.4
succinctly
20 5.5
concisely
6 4.4
briefly
414 1.0

Surface Forms

laconically positive

Morphology

laconically = laconic (transparent) = laconic + ly

The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'laconic' by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly', yielding 'in a terse manner'.

Etymology

Laconically comes from Laconia, the part of ancient Greece where the Spartans lived and were famous for short, direct speech. That is why to speak laconically is 'using very few words'.