Laconic vs Terse: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Laconic describes brevity with weight and power — speech so compressed it carries authority, in the Spartan tradition. Terse also means brief, but it often carries a negative edge: curt, almost rude in its shortness. A laconic reply lands deliberately; a terse reply can feel like a door shutting. Laconic is an admirable quality; terse is frequently a complaint.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Laconic mean?
adjective · /ləˈkɒnɪk/
Using very few words; brief and concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious.
Explore LaconicLaconic in a sentence
His laconic reply — 'noted' — ended the debate more effectively than a speech.
She had a laconic style that made every sentence count.
What does Terse mean?
adjective · /tɜːrs/
Sparing with words to the point of seeming abrupt; expressing meaning in the fewest possible syllables, with nothing wasted.
Explore TerseTerse in a sentence
Her reply was terse: 'No.'
He communicated in terse directives — no pleasantries, no padding, just the essential instruction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Laconic and Terse?
Laconic describes brevity with weight and power — speech so compressed it carries authority, in the Spartan tradition. Terse also means brief, but it often carries a negative edge: curt, almost rude in its shortness. A laconic reply lands deliberately; a terse reply can feel like a door shutting. Laconic is an admirable quality; terse is frequently a complaint.
What does Laconic mean?
Using very few words; brief and concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious.
What does Terse mean?
Sparing with words to the point of seeming abrupt; expressing meaning in the fewest possible syllables, with nothing wasted.