terse[adjective]Synonyms:- concise, brief, condensed, laconic, monosyllabic, pithy, short, succinct
- curt, abrupt, brusque, short, snappy
Contrasted words: circuitous, pleonastic, redundant, repetitious
Related Words: close,
compact,
lean,
precise,
clear-cut,
crisp,
incisive,
taut [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
terse /tɜːs $ tɜːrs/
adjective[
Date: 1600-1700;
Language: Latin;
Origin: tersus 'clean, neat', from tergere 'to wipe off']
a terse reply, message etc uses very few words and often shows that you are annoyed
Synonym : abrupt:
Derek’s terse reply ended the conversation.—tersely adverb:
‘Continue!’ he said tersely.—terseness noun [uncountable] [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲