Question

Find a synonym of TERSE:

a) Abrupt
b) Scarce
c) Diffuse
d) Headless

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are words or phrases that mean exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase.

Complete answer:

In the given question, the word ‘terse’ refers to brief and to the point; effectively cut short. We thus have to find a word that has a similar meaning.
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:

Option (a.), 'abrupt', refers to something that has happened ‘exceedingly suddenly and unexpectedly’.
Therefore, option (a.) is correct as its meaning is synonymous to that of the given word ‘terse’.

Option (b.), ‘scarce', refers to something that has happened ‘only a very short time before’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous to that of the given word ‘terse’.

Option (c.), ‘diffuse', refers to something ‘moving outward’.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous with that of the given word ‘terse’.

Option (d.), ‘headless', refers to something or someone ‘not having a head or formed without ahead’.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous with that of the given word ‘terse’.

Note: In this question, you should not get confused between ‘scarce’ and ‘abrupt’ as the word ‘scarce’ refers to something that has happened before, whereas the word ‘abrupt’ refers to something that has just immediately happened.