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Showing results for terse. Search instead for terses.
Definitions

terse

[turs] / tɜrs /
ADJECTIVE
brief, short
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brusque concise cryptic curt elliptical incisive laconic pithy precise succinct trenchant
WEAK
abrupt aphoristic boiled down breviloquent clear-cut clipped close compact compendiary compendious condensed crisp cut to the bone epigrammatic exact gnomic in a nutshell lean neat pointed sententious short and sweet snappy summary taut to the point
Antonyms
STRONGEST
gentle kind lengthy long-winded nice polite verbose wordy
WEAK
prolix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is a fitting characterization of any of these terse, disturbing novels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Designer Rob Janoff said that Apple cofounder Steve Jobs gave him one terse instruction when he commissioned a new logo in January 1977: "don't make it cute".

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Epstein mostly fires back terse, business-like, poorly punctuated replies - if any.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

More forms and records gathered sooner means fewer terse emails from your grouchy accountant — and less time waiting for your refund.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

Judge Fielding’s announcement to the gathered court was terse.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.