"XML is more verbose" is a lazy criticism in the same veign as "Python is better than Java because you can do 'Hello World' in one line".

Maven files have a simple conventional structure and a defined schema. Once you learn it, it's a breeze to work with. It's not like you need to write hundreds of lines of SOAP or XLST — which is actually why people started to dislike XML, and not because XML inherently bad.

Edit: I'd also take XML over TOML any day, especially when it comes to nested objects and arrays.

For a descriptor verbose is superior. It's way clearer what you're looking at. Matching a named end tag is much easier than matching a }. Also, XSD means you can strictly type and enumerate valid values and you will instantly see if you've written something invalid.