terse
Bluntly few words
Terse describes speech or writing that is brief and to the point, using no unnecessary words.
A terse reply may be admirably efficient or may feel curt and unfriendly—context determines which.
His terse "no" ended the discussion.
The word often carries a slight edge, suggesting someone is being short with you rather than simply concise.
Abruptly rude in speech
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- gruffHarsh in manner
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
tactless · ungracious · offhand · impolite · rude · discourteous · snappish · crusty
Short in duration
- succinctExpressed with minimal words
- compactTightly packed together
- condensedMade more compact
- compressedReduced by pressure
economical · short · tight · streamlined · crisp · neat · unadorned · elliptical
Cleverly concise in expression
- aphoristicConcisely truth-telling
- gnomicTerse and enigmatic
- sententiousAffecting wise brevity
- pointedTapering to a tip
trenchant · incisive · witty · sharp · punchy · memorable · quotable · proverbial
Restrained in manner
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
unforthcoming · monosyllabic · guarded · closemouthed · silent · quiet · sparing · undemonstrative
curt
Abruptly rude in speech
sharp · tactless · ungracious · offhand · impolite · rude · discourteous · snappish · crusty · surly
brief
Short in duration
compressed · economical · short · tight · streamlined · crisp · neat · unadorned · elliptical · clipped
epigrammatic
Cleverly concise in expression
- aphoristicConcisely truth-telling
- gnomicTerse and enigmatic
- sententiousAffecting wise brevity
pointed · trenchant · incisive · witty · sharp · punchy · memorable · quotable · proverbial · clever
reserved
Restrained in manner
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
tight-lipped · unforthcoming · monosyllabic · guarded · closemouthed · silent · quiet · sparing · undemonstrative · measured
- brevitybrevity, concise, succinct, pithy, laconic
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- harsh tonesharsh, sharp, biting, cutting, caustic
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- shortshort, brief, small, little, tiny
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
terseverbose
More words than necessary
wordy · long-winded · prolix · rambling · diffuse
- terra cottaFired clay ceramic
- terra firmaSolid ground underfoot
- terra cotta pots
- terra incognitaUnexplored or unknown region
- terra cotta tiles
- terra cotta roof