periphrastic

• Relatif à l'utilisation d'une phrase plus longue et descriptive au lieu d'une forme plus courte et directe ; utilisé en grammaire pour désigner une construction faisant appel à des mots auxiliaires.

Relating to or characterized by the use of a longer, roundabout phrase instead of a shorter, more direct one; often used in grammar to describe a construction using auxiliary words.

1. Roundabout or wordyC2formal

   Using more words than necessary to express an idea; indirect or circumlocutory in speech or writing.

   Périphrastique (au sens de contourné, verbeux)

   • His periphrastic explanation confused the audience.
   • The author's periphrastic style made the novel difficult to read.
   • She gave a periphrastic answer instead of a direct one.

   Synonymescircumlocutorydiffuseindirectlong-windedpleonasticprolixredundantroundaboutverbosewordy

   Antonymesbriefconciselaconicsuccinctterse