as in concisely
in a few words
she stated her dissatisfaction rather tersely with a simple "I don't approve"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tersely
On Friday, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, tersely rejected the bill, calling it a joke.
—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Preckwinkle, a former history teacher, typically defends her record like the head of a classroom, emphasizing context, flipping through prepared statements, and often tersely making her case or deferring to deputies with expertise.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The dissonance between their bacchanalian ritual and Adelaida’s silent, solitary suffering is marked, and the disrespect for the dead further underlined when a gravedigger tersely shoos her away from the graveside, reminding her that the area is unsafe, especially at nightfall.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon chief responded tersely after a viral backlash to a photo of a group of overweight Texas National Guard troops headed to Chicago.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Preckwinkle, a former history teacher, typically defends her record like the head of a classroom, emphasizing context, flipping through prepared statements, and often tersely making her case or deferring to deputies with expertise.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The dissonance between their bacchanalian ritual and Adelaida’s silent, solitary suffering is marked, and the disrespect for the dead further underlined when a gravedigger tersely shoos her away from the graveside, reminding her that the area is unsafe, especially at nightfall.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon chief responded tersely after a viral backlash to a photo of a group of overweight Texas National Guard troops headed to Chicago.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tersely
Adverb
-
One of the strengths of the film is a precise visual design that alternates between distance and intimacy, with Caswill using the landscapes of her Alberta location to clearly and concisely express the sense of loneliness and isolation afflicting her heroine.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Few other comedians do this so consistently or concisely.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Super Mario Galaxy is achieving a number other milestones, including delivering the year’s biggest three-day opening of the year so far, a record held briefly by sleeper hit Project Hail Mary.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Lendeborg left the bench for trainers to retape his ankle and treat it with ice, returned briefly, then went back to the locker room again.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Yangs were called in and curtly told the judgment was being overturned, their lawsuit dismissed without trial.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tersely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tersely. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
