“In a Nutshell” Synonyms
A formal synonym you can use in place of in a nutshell is in brief.
- In brief, the study analyzed how sugar affects the brains of toddlers.
A casual synonym of in a nutshell is long story short.
- Long story short, that’s everything that went wrong today.
What Does “In a Nutshell” Mean?
In a nutshell is an idiom that means “in as few words as possible.” It’s typically only used in informal writing or casual speech.
In a nutshell, it was a summer romance.
In as few words as possible, it was a summer romance.
The expression in a nutshell can be used in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
In a nutshell, that’s how fun prom was.
Prom was, in a nutshell, the best night ever.
That’s everything we did at prom in a nutshell.
What Are Some “In a Nutshell” Synonyms?
In a nutshell is something you say when what follows concisely encapsulates the essence of a larger message. Below you’ll find eleven synonyms you can use in its place (including formal and casual options).
Formal Synonyms
Remember: In a nutshell is a casual expression. It’s not one you would use to conclude an essay, report, or any other type of professional and academic text. If you’re looking for a formal in a nutshell synonym, try any of the following:
1. In brief,
In brief, the results were not the ones we expected.
2. To summarize,
To summarize, the documentary was about the effects of fast fashion on the planet.
3. In summary,
In summary, the contestants competed in seven supervised challenges that analyzed strength and intelligence.
4. To recap,
To recap, the expedition lasted three months and the budget was strictly adhered to.
5. To put it briefly,
To put it briefly, teaching your child different languages is beneficial.
Informal Synonyms
It’s always a good idea to know multiple ways of expressing something because it improves your English fluency. If you’re looking for another casual expression you can use instead of in a nutshell, try the following:
6. The gist is…
The gist is they fell in love.
7. In essence,
In essence, I learned that everything happens for a reason.
8. Long story short,
Long story short, he didn’t come back to pay the bill.
9. Basically,
Basically, my puppy was kicked out of obedience school.
10. Simply put,
Simply put, cooking is my favorite thing to do.
Long Story Short, LanguageTool Enhances Writing
In a nutshell, this phrase is casual. Make sure not to use it in formal or academic writing. And if you’d like to add more idioms to your vocabulary, try using any of the casual alternatives.
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