blunt

1 of 3

adjective

ˈblənt 

1

: having an edge or point that is not sharp

scissors with blunt ends

was hit over the head with a blunt instrument

gave her bangs a blunt cut just above her eyebrows

2

a

: abrupt in speech or manner

She tends to be blunt.

a blunt refusal

b

: being straight to the point : direct

To be perfectly blunt, I don't think he can do it.

3

a

: slow or deficient in feeling : insensitive

… showing how blunt the eyes and ears of writers generally are …

—Norman Foerster

b

: obtuse (see obtuse sense 2a) in understanding or discernment : dull

his blunt mind

bluntly adverb

bluntness noun

blunt

2 of 3

verb

blunted; blunting; blunts

transitive verb

: to make less sharp, definite, or forceful

an ax blunted from use

blunted their criticism by praising her enthusiasm

intransitive verb

: to become blunt (see blunt entry 1)

blunt

3 of 3

noun

: a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana

Synonyms

Adjective

• abrupt
• bluff
• brusque
• brusk
• crusty
• curt
• downright
• short
• short-spoken
• snippy
• unceremonious

Verb

• benumb
• cauterize
• damp
• dampen
• deaden
• dull
• numb

Choose the Right Synonym for blunt

dull, blunt, obtuse mean not sharp, keen, or acute.

dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain

a dull mind

blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner.

bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Examples of blunt in a Sentence

Adjective

To be perfectly blunt, I find her annoying.

He was blunt about needing more privacy.

Verb

a weapon blunted by use

the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

He had been clubbed in the head and the face with a blunt object. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024

The speech veered away from the blunt partisan politics that had dominated Mr. Obama’s most recent public appearances. —Julie Bosman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

In recent days, army troops scrambled to Hama in an effort to blunt the rebels’ momentum. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

The latter measure blunted the risk China’s missile systems pose to U.S. forces near China and allowed the United States to operate more flexibly and resiliently. —Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024

Noun

After the pair finished performing the track, Snoop unveiled a blunt and a lighter and approached Jelly, 39, to share the substance with him. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

First, the streamer couldn’t believe his eyes when Snoop rolled a blunt in less than 30 seconds. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English blont, of uncertain origin

Verb

Middle English blonten, verbal derivative of blont blunt entry 1

Noun

from blunt "a short, thick cigar," noun derivative of blunt entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1988, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing blunt

• blunt instrument
• blunt trauma

Kids Definition

blunt

1 of 2 adjective

ˈblənt 

1

: slow or lacking in feeling or understanding

2

: having an edge or point that is not sharp

3

: abrupt in speech or manner

bluntly adverb

bluntness noun

blunt

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become less sharp