TERSE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

terse

adjective

ˈtərs

Definition of terse

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning could tell from his terse replies to my questions that he was in no mood to talk

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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 Ross’ music eschews the cathartic function of a lot of classic heartland rock, maybe because his lyric-writing is fairly literary and terse. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026 Menu descriptions arrive as terse little trios—tuna, foie gras and shiso; cuttlefish, buckwheat and celtuce; turbot, lettuce and sake—but the cooking behind them is anything but abbreviated. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 After a terse exchange with one of the museum’s curators, Killmonger and his collaborators smash a case holding a weapon made from Wakanda’s vibranium before jetting off with it. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026 Jake Paul had some terse words for Tom Brady after the NFL legend decided to slap Logan Paul during a heated moment at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday. — Ryan Gaydos , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terse

Adjective

This excellent volume contains a series of concise and authoritative essays on key aspects of the Ghetto’s early history, written by leading experts in the field.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Gemini needed 11 seconds to respond despite delivering a more concise, straight-to-the-point answer.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of concise

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The questions came after Zacharia made a brief debut to the media on Tuesday, taking just three questions from reporters after reading off a script.

— Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.

— Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.

— Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of summary

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terrors

terse

tersely

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“Terse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terse. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of terse

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