variants
also brusk
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
a brusque and unhelpful reply from the clerk in the hardware store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 brusque
Over the years, Braunwald continued his work, his brusque manner occasionally rubbing his subordinates and colleagues the wrong way.
—
Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 7 May 2026
European allies already had plenty of experience of Zelensky’s brusque manner.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Known for his brusque demeanor, Brush frequently courted controversy.
—Libby Cierzniak, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
That puts her at odds with Ray, whose investment in her son hinges on a brusque, performative disregard for Colin’s happiness.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brusque
Lawrence K. Altman, STAT, 7 May 2026
European allies already had plenty of experience of Zelensky’s brusque manner.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Known for his brusque demeanor, Brush frequently courted controversy.
—Libby Cierzniak, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
That puts her at odds with Ray, whose investment in her son hinges on a brusque, performative disregard for Colin’s happiness.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
Adjective
-
Instead, season 4 revealed that Bill's story had come to an abrupt end.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
The abrupt end to her doubles foray at the HSBC Queen’s Club Championships was more muted.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Take inspiration from Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and ask your hairdresser for soft, invisible layers, which create the illusion of a blunt cut while still adding movement and texture around the cheek, jaw, and collarbones.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
-
The deputy sheriff also said that Cortavious and Cortavion had marijuana in the car, stating that Yates could see a blunt inside.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
-
Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
After three minutes of routine and relatively curt responses, Redick was asked about the difficulty of closing a team out in a playoff series.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Our separation would need to be curt and the novel did it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Anyone hoping to see intricate short passing has been sorely disappointed thus far.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
An affordable wellness retreat typically falls in the budget-to-mid-range tier, roughly $1,000 to $2,000 for a week-long stay, or under $500 per night for shorter trips.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
That seems a pretty rude thing to write in the newspaper.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Brock isn’t being rude — far from it.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
