crustier; crustiest
1
: having or being a crust
2
: giving an effect of surly incivility in address or disposition
crustily adverb
crustiness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for crusty

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 crusty in a Sentence

a basket of warm, crusty bread We could see deer tracks in the crusty snow bank.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread. Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025 For crusty bread, take off the foil and pop the loaf in the oven for no more than five minutes to crisp up the crust. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025 Grab some crusty bread or a heap of pasta and a restaurant-quality meal can be on the table in 15 minutes. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025 The creamy, rich gravy and sliced mushrooms are layered on top of excellent biscuits, with the crusty side of the biscuit facing up. Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crusty 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crusty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near crusty

Cite this Entry

“Crusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crusty. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

crusty

adjective
crustier; crustiest
1
: having or being a crust
2
crustiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crusty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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