Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective terse contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of terse are compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, succinct, and summary. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

When is compendious a more appropriate choice than terse?

While in some cases nearly identical to terse, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When could concise be used to replace terse?

The words concise and terse can be used in similar contexts, but concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When can laconic be used instead of terse?

In some situations, the words laconic and terse are roughly equivalent. However, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How is pithy related to other words for terse?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

Where would succinct be a reasonable alternative to terse?

The words succinct and terse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When is it sensible to use summary instead of terse?

The meanings of summary and terse largely overlap; however, summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

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 terse Throughout his 24-year tenure with the New England Patriots, Belichick became synonymous with brief, terse answers in press conferences and refusing to give reporters detailed information. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 His terse sendoff denies Dexter the satisfaction of closure and forgiveness, shattering his former colleague’s world before shuffling off it. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025 The post-match exchange between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko on Wednesday at the US Open was a terse encounter but probably left many wondering what the big deal was that caused all the tension. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 After the vote the police chief gave a terse response when asked by a reporter for her reaction to the vote to get rid of the cameras. Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terse
Adjective
  • The initiative focuses on publishing concise, high-quality species descriptions to shorten the gap between discovery and formal recognition drastically.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The other cuts in as needed — concise, disarming, right on cue.
    Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Weigert, 56, left Tracker after season 1, and like Sunday’s episode, her absence was also explained within the show during a brief conversation in season 2.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.
    Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.
    Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terse. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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