The phrase “terse response” has a more negative connotation.
Explanation
- Concise describes speech or writing that is brief but complete and well-chosen — it implies clarity, efficiency, and thoughtfulness.
- Terse also means brief, but often carries the implication of brusqueness, curt rudeness, or lack of warmth; it suggests the speaker may be annoyed or unfriendly.
Examples
- Concise: “She gave a concise summary of the experiment.” (positive/neutral)
- Terse: “He gave a terse reply and walked away.” (negative—implies abruptness)
Notes
- Context and tone matter: a terse message can be neutral in very formal, time-critical situations, but most readers interpret it as colder or curt.
- Synonyms: concise = succinct, economical; terse = curt, brusque, abrupt.
So, if you want to praise brevity, use concise; if you describe brevity that feels unfriendly, terse is the usual choice.