terse 1 of 2

terseness

2 of 2

noun

as in concision
the quality or state of being marked by or using only few words to convey much meaning the terseness of my replies simply meant that I was too busy to talk at that time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 terse
Adjective
In a terse text message, her office referred all questions about why the meeting was canceled at short notice to the State Department. Lorne Cook and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025 The accusations often led to a terse back-and-forth and outbursts from the audience. Amanda Seitz, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 In another incident last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Schleifer was abruptly fired via a terse email from the Presidential Personnel Office shortly after Loomer posted about him online, a source told the AP. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 Last week, Adam Schleifer, an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, was fired without explanation in a terse email from the White House personnel office shortly after Loomer posted about him on social media, according to a person familiar with the matter. Time, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terse
Adjective
  • Refine your key points to be clear and concise—no rambling monologues.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • As the celebration on the floor dispersed to make way for the second national semifinal, Clayton could be seen greeting every teammate and staffer who offered a handshakes or a hug with a concise message.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and concision.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The Wailers, with then-new guitarist Al Anderson assuming a prominent role, perform with admirable crispness and concision as Marley ignites time and again.
    George Varga, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Inflation gauge cools ahead of Trump's tariffs, but spending climbs A key measure of inflation eased in March, offering a brief reprieve before President Donald Trump's new tariffs begin taking full effect.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The main threats will be damaging winds and large hail, but brief tornadoes can't be ruled out.
    Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city.
    Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Terse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terse. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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