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
-
Keep it short and sweet Responding concisely and confidently will assuage any lingering concerns an employer might have about your work history, McGoff says.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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One of the strengths of the film is a precise visual design that alternates between distance and intimacy, with Caswill using the landscapes of her Alberta location to clearly and concisely express the sense of loneliness and isolation afflicting her heroine.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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However, on May 18, 2024, when Stanley left the hospital briefly to attend her uncle's funeral, Lucille died.—
Nicki Cox,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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While popular, the Air Jordan 10 was only worn briefly by Jordan following his first NBA retirement and was overshadowed by its predecessor, the Air Jordan 11, which is widely considered to be one of the best sneakers of all time.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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On Friday, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, tersely rejected the bill, calling it a joke.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Preckwinkle, a former history teacher, typically defends her record like the head of a classroom, emphasizing context, flipping through prepared statements, and often tersely making her case or deferring to deputies with expertise.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtly. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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