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 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 The cool rush of the editing, the narrow precision of the compositions, the terse chopping of scenes to their minimal dosing of information, is an artful declaration to keep moving along, nothing to see here, none of your business. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 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
  • Springsteen obliged, with a statement that was at once concise and powerful.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Bednar’s response was concise, but hard to argue with.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even brief closures have cost the economy billions of dollars.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The Chinese navy already makes port calls in Myanmar, but these are brief stays in facilities too primitive to provide naval advantage.
    Dan Swift, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2025.

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