Which characteristic does an implicit message possess?

An implicit message is characterized by the fact that it is not expressly stated. This means that the message is conveyed indirectly, requiring the audience to infer or interpret its meaning based on context, tone, cues, and other subtextual elements. Implicit messages rely on the receiver's ability to read between the lines, making them often more nuanced and complex compared to explicit messages, which lay out information directly and clearly. This characteristic distinguishes implicit messages in communication as they engage the audience's critical thinking or emotional responsiveness to derive the intended meaning.

While the other options mention clarity or directness which are inherent to explicit communication, the essence of an implicit message is its subtlety and reliance on interpretation by the recipient.