What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brusque
Example
The shopkeeper gave a brusque reply when asked for assistance. [brusque: adjective]
Example
She brusquely told him to leave her alone. [brusquely: adverb]
terse
Example
His email response was terse, providing only the necessary information. [terse: adjective]
Example
She replied with a terse 'No' when asked if she could attend the meeting. [terse: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Terse is more commonly used than brusque in everyday language. Terse is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while brusque is less common and tends to have a more negative tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brusque and terse?
Both brusque and terse can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brusque is generally associated with a more informal and casual tone, while terse can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
