as in concisely
in a few words
the beleaguered mayor curtly answered all questions with a simple "No comment"
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Recent Examples of curtly
The Yangs were called in and curtly told the judgment was being overturned, their lawsuit dismissed without trial.
—
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtly
Adverb
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Practice answering concisely and confidently in your own voice.—
Kathy Caprino,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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David was briefly released on bond while awaiting the retrial.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Earlier this week, Risch spoke with Boise’s KIVI-TV Channel 6, and briefly addressed the matter.—
Kevin Fixler
January 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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The dissonance between their bacchanalian ritual and Adelaida’s silent, solitary suffering is marked, and the disrespect for the dead further underlined when a gravedigger tersely shoos her away from the graveside, reminding her that the area is unsafe, especially at nightfall.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Pentagon chief responded tersely after a viral backlash to a photo of a group of overweight Texas National Guard troops headed to Chicago.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtly. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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