tersely

Examples

• All

• Denne ordered a Glenlivet and was tersely informed he would get Chivas, the bar scotch, or no scotch at all.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Vatican II put it tersely: "Insight grows both into the words and the realities that have been handed on."

  Academic text (1993)

• "Dad, what is it?" I asked tersely; he never called unless there was a problem.

  Blog text (5)

• Not 'I love you,' a strong declaration, but simply, tersely, 'Love.'

  Fiction book (1993)

• As Michael Ruse comments tersely, "natural selection cares only about winners, not about the best."

  Academic text (2010)

• "I can see that!" Alexander said tersely, flashing the servant a dark look.

  Fiction book (1998)

• The reserve guard came pouring out, and their captain tersely ordered Lefarn and his troops away.

  Fiction book (2001)

• "Magic," Naja answered tersely, and he'd let it go at that.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Before Robbie left, McManis took me aside, stating tersely, "We expect the usual Academy Award performance."

  Fiction book (1999)

• Asked in 1994 about his relationship with Kantor, Canadian International Trade Minister Roy MacLaren tersely replied, "What's your next question?"

  Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

B

briefly

vstersely

345 1.0

For a short time or in a few words

is concise as well but typically feels more abrupt

B

bluntly

vstersely

36 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

keeps words minimal but may not be impolite on purpose

S

succinctly

vstersely

20 5.5

In a short clear way using few words

is short and can be abrupt, not only focused on clarity

C

crisply

vstersely

6 4.4

In a clear, exact way that is easy to understand

is concise too but often adds an abrupt or curt tone

C

concisely

vstersely

6 4.4

In a clear, short way using few words

is equally concise but more likely to sound abrupt

C

curtly

vstersely

4 6.0

In a short, rude way that shows you are annoyed

is equally short but stresses concise economy, not only rudeness

B

brusquely

vstersely

3 7.4

In a short, rude way that shows little patience

is short and concise rather than focused on bluntness

S

short

vstersely

2 6.1

In a rude, abrupt way

is concise and often abrupt but not always discourteous

S

shortly

vstersely

1 4.5

In a rude, quick way that stops the conversation

is short and to the point while sometimes sounding abrupt

T

telegraphically

vstersely

• Archaic

1 7.5

In a short, direct way using only a few words

is short and abrupt but not limited to telegraph style

B

bluffly

vstersely

1 8.0

In a direct, sometimes abrupt way that shows little patience

is compact and concise, not primarily about blunt tone

Antonyms

G

gently

324 1.0

To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise

E

elaborately

10 4.5

In a way that has many small details and rich decoration

How Briefly

laconically

1 7.8

tersely

3 6.4

curtly

4 6.0

briefly

345 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology