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Five copper complexes supported by terpyridine ligands were prepared and characterized, viz. [Cu 3 Cl 4 (naphtpy) 2 ][CuCl 2 ] (1), [Cu 2 Cl 2 (naphtpy) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 (2), [CuCl 2 (naphtpy)] 2 (MeOH) 3 (H 2 O) (3), [CuCl 2 (Cltpy)] (4) and [Cu(Cltpy) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 (5); (where naphtpy stands for 4'-((naphthalen-2-yl)methoxy)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and Cltpy for 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine). Their ability to interact with DNA was investigated, and their cytotoxic behaviour was examined with three cells lines, namely human ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780), their derived cisplatin-resistant line (A2780cis), and human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa). All compounds show good cytotoxic properties (especially after 72 h of incubation). Remarkably, two compounds, 4 and 5, are still almost inactive after 24 h (particularly 4), but are highly active after 72 h, with IC 50 values in the low-micromolar to sub-micromolar range. Compounds 1 and 2 induce necrosis, whereas late apoptosis is observed with 3-5, 4 exhibiting a behaviour close to that of cisplatin., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)