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View synonyms for terse

terse

[ turs ]

adjective

, ters·er, ters·est.
  1. neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.

    Synonyms: compendious, epigrammatic, brief, compact, succinct

  2. abruptly concise; curt; brusque.


terse

/ tɜːs /

adjective

  1. neatly brief and concise
  2. curt; abrupt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈterseness, noun
  • ˈtersely, adverb
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Other Words From

  • terse·ly adverb
  • terse·ness noun
  • un·terse adjective
  • un·terse·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of terse1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin tersus, past participle of tergēre “to rub off, wipe off, clean, polish”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of terse1

C17: from Latin tersus precise, from tergēre to polish
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Synonym Study

See concise.
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Example Sentences

There was then a terse verbal exchange with Siraj who, rather bizarrely given India's predicament, opted to give Head a send-off.

From BBC

The body camera footage showed Hill at times being terse with police, telling an officer "don't knock on my window like that".

From BBC

For instance, a terse July 29 email from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment in Colorado said, “Currently attempting to monitor 26 dairies. 9 have refused.”

From Salon

This week, her father got a terse letter from the defence ministry in Moscow informing him that Victoria was dead, aged 27.

From BBC

Stafford was tired and terse in the wake of defeat, wearing a Hawaiian shirt that was far more festive than his mood.

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