Synonym Chooser

How is the word crusty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of crusty are bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

Where would bluff be a reasonable alternative to crusty?

The synonyms bluff and crusty are sometimes interchangeable, but bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When can blunt be used instead of crusty?

While the synonyms blunt and crusty are close in meaning, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When might brusque be a better fit than crusty?

The words brusque and crusty can be used in similar contexts, but brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When could curt be used to replace crusty?

While in some cases nearly identical to crusty, curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When is gruff a more appropriate choice than crusty?

Although the words gruff and crusty 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

Examples 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 crusty Many of his masterpieces exist within the tension between his crusty old man persona and his undeniable ability to put himself in the shoes of the people his characters claim to hate. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024 For the first part, Marino intensified the paint job and added in scabs and crusty pieces of skin that were flaking off. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024 The cyanobacteria form sticky filaments that act like glue in sandy desert soil, creating a clumpy, crusty surface where fungi and other bacteria take hold. Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024 The divers' seared scallops are served in a velvety smoked pike roe and champagne butter that begs to be mopped with crusty French baguette. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crusty 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crusty
Adjective
  • An autopsy revealed the father had been stabbed approximately 50 times and had sustained multiple injuries, including broken bones, strangulation marks, and blunt force trauma to the head, face, and back.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Federov is a woodcutter with a blunt axe, unable to keep up with his competitors who use saws.
    Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • After a long bout of gruff banter, Frank gets personal, invoking his dead son, Joseph.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The actress uncovers enough credibility in the character to withstand the syrupy sports drama’s conventions, offsetting the gruff Eastwoodisms on which the film is built. 19.
    Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Additionally, the abrupt news can create cognitive dissonance, as employees struggle to reconcile previous assurances of job security with the unexpected loss of employment.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The abrupt House adjournment meant that many bills the Democrats planned to pass, from government transparency to environmental measures, did not get sent to the governor.
    Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Commercially available drones also typically have a short battery life and often can only last 10 minutes to about one hour in the air.
    Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • While three days might not be enough to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, even a short retreat can offer a profound reconnection with nature and oneself.
    Julia Eskins, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Kim noted that while Spiro has been very outspoken about parts the of case and its witnesses outside of the courtroom, the legal team has not made those same arguments in court.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Gunn came under fire on social media by right wing commentator Mike Cernovich who went after the director for his controversial, years-old jokes about pedophilia, but more so, because the filmmaker was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Ishaaq says on a video call, recalling the brusque directions from a doctor.
    Will Coldwell, The Dial, 3 Dec. 2024
  • In an extremely brusque majority opinion, the court ordered all boards of elections to comply with the black-letter law of the state election code, as written, and dispose of all undated or otherwise facially invalid ballots.
    The Editors, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Following 2021’s curt, arresting When Smoke Rises, this year’s heftier Dunya tugs at the decade’s most disheartening threads.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
  • But the crime scene is swiftly wiped clean, her body removed to avert suspicion and her phone sending curt messages about returning to Los Angeles for a job.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near crusty

Cite this Entry

“Crusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crusty. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on crusty

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