as in concisely
in a few words
she stated her dissatisfaction rather tersely with a simple "I don't approve"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 tersely
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
At halftime, as Duke’s players tersely ran back to the locker room with Siena ahead 43-32, the Blue Devils — and their extended traveling party — were shell-shocked.
—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
20 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
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
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
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
At halftime, as Duke’s players tersely ran back to the locker room with Siena ahead 43-32, the Blue Devils — and their extended traveling party — were shell-shocked.
—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
20 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tersely
Adverb
-
Washington Crossing the Delaware is perfect tour-guide material—it can be seen by a bunch of people at once, and its story can be told concisely, timed to the minute.
-
Knowing what to do if a power surge damages your appliances and electronics is essential for protecting your home, preventing future issues, and reporting damages clearly and concisely to your insurance company and the local electric company.
Adverb
-
Short played for both the Mets and the Braves in the 2024 season, as well as the Boston Red Sox, and was briefly a member of the Houston Astros before his latest stint with the Tigers.
-
Check in briefly, and keep promises small for now please.
Adverb
-
But Ruben curtly responds that the only real homophobe is Niall himself.
-
The Yangs were called in and curtly told the judgment was being overturned, their lawsuit dismissed without trial.
Cite this Entry
“Tersely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tersely. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
