Terse

Quick meaning: Terse is an adjective meaning (by extension) Of speech or style: brief, concise, to the point.

Meaning

(by extension) Of speech or style: brief, concise, to the point.

More Meanings

1. (by extension) Of manner or speech: abruptly or brusquely short; curt.
2. (obsolete) Burnished, polished; fine, smooth; neat, spruce.

Example Sentences

Your last series contains some of the neatest, tersest, and most unpretendingly original criticism, I have lately met with.

In eight terse lines has Phædrus told / (So frugal were the Bards of old) / A Tale of Goats; and clos'd with grace / Plan, Moral, all, in that ſhort space.

Mr SPEAKER: If the honourable member could be terse. / Mr O'Flynn: I shall be very terse. It may be my fault, Mr Speaker, but I doubt if you have quite appreciated the point.

'Laura!' The voice halting her was terse. Brusque. She turned. [...] 'Before I go,' he said, and his voice was terse, tighter than ever. 'I want to ensure you understand something.'

Word Forms

• terser
• tersest

Synonyms for terse

Depending on context, synonyms include concise, succinct, brief, crisp, laconic, lapidary.

Antonyms for terse

Common opposites include prolix, verbose, wordy, circumlocutory, diffuse, periphrastic.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include laconic, concise, curt, crisp, succinct, summary.

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