curtly

adverb

Definition of curtlynext
as in concisely
in a few words the beleaguered mayor curtly answered all questions with a simple "No comment"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of curtly Juliette later makes a stop to see Shirley, who is still being unreasonably pouty about her amnesiac friend not remembering her — and is, again, curtly dismissive of Juliette’s search for Lukas. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026 But Ruben curtly responds that the only real homophobe is Niall himself. — Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026 The Yangs were called in and curtly told the judgment was being overturned, their lawsuit dismissed without trial. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtly
  1. concisely
  2. briefly
  3. tersely
Adverb
  • Communicating it simply and concisely requires a clear framework, strong data and deep business understanding.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Maybe Spain never quite produced a picture-book goal to concisely summarise their style and quality.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of concisely
Adverb
  • One of those, the USS Gerald R Ford, also reported problems earlier this year, from toilets that weren’t working to a laundry fire that briefly stopped combat operations and destroyed some sleeping quarters.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Not in a city, where skylights glow and porch lights blaze, where shadows are mostly thrown by passing cars that appear to become the brightest object in the solar system briefly.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of briefly
Adverb
  • That’s how Graeme McDowell tersely justified his reason for joining controversial LIV Golf in 2022.
    — CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • On Friday, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, tersely rejected the bill, calling it a joke.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of tersely

Browse Nearby Words

curtilages
curtly
curtness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtly. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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