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blunt

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word blunt distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of blunt are bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When would bluff be a good substitute for blunt?

The words bluff and blunt can be used in similar contexts, but bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When is brusque a more appropriate choice than blunt?

The words brusque and blunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When might crusty be a better fit than blunt?

While the synonyms crusty and blunt are close in meaning, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

Where would curt be a reasonable alternative to blunt?

The meanings of curt and blunt largely overlap; however, curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When can gruff be used instead of blunt?

Although the words gruff and blunt have much in common, gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blunt
Adjective
Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, wasn't as blunt but still stopped short of defending Biden's decision to run. Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025 Vanney’s assessment of the loss was incredibly blunt. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
Getty Images Many companies had been steadily reducing their reliance on China as a manufacturing hub since President Donald Trump's first term, hoping to blunt the impact of punitive levies from the United States. Dylan Butts,anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025 These sequences are cut to bits — and not in a music video style — masking the choreography and blunting the emotional impact. Courtney Howard, Variety, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
  • And that’s before considering Andrew Witty’s abrupt exit announced just this week.
    Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Over time, that disconnection can dull natural hunger cues, making skipped meals feel normal.
    Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
  • Nothing is worse than getting partway into a craft project and getting all your pieces ready, only for your cheap, dulled scissors to destroy the edge of your fabric or paper.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps a dapper masc who can dote on her and serve as a grounding presence would actually be a great change of pace for Miranda, whose past partners have fallen short in the acts of service department.
    Quispe López, Them., 28 May 2025
  • The Chiefs will host a media availability Thursday, with a short practice viewing window for which The Star will be in attendance.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 May 2025
  • Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The kittens are too little to be given pain medicine, so injuries are being treated with topical numbing agent.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The Weeknd discography plays like one big party with noxious vibes, thrown by a hedonist less interested in a good time than numbing the torment of an existence comprising coke-and-sizzurp binges, emotionless supermodel threeways, and morning-afters of bleak reflection.
    Charles Bramesco, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 May 2025
  • But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.
    Adam Goldman, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, an outspoken critic of the city’s homeless programs, also has been a longtime supporter of terminating the emergency.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • These decisions suggest an effort to suppress all but the most overt nationalistic efforts from American artists, a fool’s errand given the outspoken nature of the creative community, and one that is not unfamiliar around the globe.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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