blunt

adjective

\ ˈblənt

Definition of blunt

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

2a : 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.

3a : 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

blunt

verb

blunted; blunting; blunts

Definition of blunt (Entry 2 of 3)

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

noun

Definition of blunt (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from blunt Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about blunt

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Synonyms & Antonyms for blunt

Synonyms: Adjective

abrupt, bluff, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy, unceremonious

Synonyms: Verb

benumb, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, dull, numb

Antonyms: Adjective

circuitous, mealymouthed

Antonyms: Verb

sharpen, whet

Choose the Right Synonym for blunt

Adjective

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

Manny CarabelGetty Images As a part of her promotion for her new romantic comedy Long Shot, Charlize Theron debuted some exceptional blunt baby bangs that are futuristic and so, so cool. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Charlize Theron's Blunt Baby Bangs at the 'Long Shot' Premiere Are So Futuristic," 1 May 2019 The new hue quickly became one of our favorite celebrity color transformations of 2019, and now the actress is back with even more hair changes — this time, in the form of blunt faux bangs. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "Charlize Theron’s Hairstylist Explains the Inspiration Behind Her New Faux Bangs," 1 May 2019 Susie Bubble, a London influencer known for her blunt bangs and colorful clothing, is strict about knowing her place. — Amy Larocca, The Cut, "The Affluencers," 7 Feb. 2018 An autopsy found that Navarra died of blunt force trauma, police said. — Benjamin Brown, Fox News, "Stepdad, 90, held in connection with woman's blunt force trauma death, police say," 28 Sep. 2018 Using his signature blunt humor, Davidson pointed out the double standard between women and men who date younger people. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Beckinsale and Pete Davidson Respond to the Reactions to Their Relationship," 27 Mar. 2019 On Sunday night, the first teaser was released: a solo photo of Lisa with a gorgeous gray-toned lob and her signature blunt bangs. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "Jennie of Blackpink Reveals New Blonde Hair in "Kill This Love" Promo," 26 Mar. 2019 Some directors welcomed the new voice, even if Garden could prove abrasive at times, while others on the board were blunt in declaring their distaste for him. — Thomas Gryta And Ted Mann, WSJ, "GE Powered the American Century—Then It Burned Out," 14 Dec. 2018 The Congressional Budget Office was even more blunt in a long-term assessment released Tuesday. — Washington Post, "AP FACT CHECK: Were tax cuts really an ‘economic miracle?’," 30 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

By almost doubling the standard deductions for individual and joint tax filers, the law blunts the advantage of the mortgage-interest deduction. — WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: The Housing Market," 15 Feb. 2019 One force blunting better wage gains in a state with a hot job market could be other states. — Michael S. Derby, WSJ, "Big Wage Gains Are Unlikely, San Francisco Fed Says," 14 Jan. 2019 The companies’ gambit to blunt an unfavorable legal decision and shift their financial burden to taxpayers through an initiative could be the first of its kind in California, political observers have said. — Liam Dillon, latimes.com, "Will paint companies pay to clean up lead in homes? California voters could decide in November," 27 June 2018 The results point to some challenges that drugmakers will face this year, as public scrutiny limits their willingness to raise prices to increase sales and blunt the impact of competition from drug copies. — Kimberly Chin, WSJ, "Johnson & Johnson Expects Sales Growth to Slow," 22 Jan. 2019 Now, there are always to blunt the trauma, but if even a single person losses care or access to quality coverage in the process, the electorate will recoil. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Trump's favorite county," 3 Aug. 2018 That hurts refiners and could eventually cause U.S. fuel prices to rise for everything from gasoline to diesel to jet fuel, though high gasoline inventories likely will blunt the impact on consumers. — Rebecca Elliott, WSJ, "Canada Can’t Capitalize on Crude Shortfall Created by Venezuela Sanctions," 14 Feb. 2019 Washington would need at least 8,000 interceptors to blunt Russia’s nuclear force, an unaffordable number, but the situation still makes Moscow uneasy. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia Tests Yet Another Hypersonic Weapon," 27 Dec. 2018 But law enforcement efforts have been blunted by the current administration’s political appointments. — Maria Verza, The Seattle Times, "Poverty, unemployment, violence drive Guatemalan emigration," 26 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The actress revealed a set of super short blunt bangs to accompany her oh so femme fatale look last night at the premiere of her film Long Shot in New York. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Charlize Theron Debuts a Radical New Short Cut on the Red Carpet," 1 May 2019 His blunt talk triggered an extraordinary, almost surreal, exchange of insults. — Matthew Pennington, Fox News, "Some see signs of hope on North Korea as Trump heads to UN," 22 Sep. 2018 Chancellor Richard Carranza has been blunt in calling for better integration of New York City classrooms. — Leslie Brody, WSJ, "Schools Chancellor Speaks Boldly for Diversity, but Critics Want Action," 27 Mar. 2019 Moreover, the tips of the bayonets were not sharpened but blunt, cast to tear at an opponent’s flesh like a shark’s tooth. . . . — Peter Cozzens, WSJ, "‘Valley Forge’ Review: In the Bleak Midwinter," 21 Dec. 2018 After giving us a sneak peek at her fresh look on Instagram earlier in the day, Kim Kardashian debuted her new blunt cut bob at a charity fundraiser on Sunday. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kim and Khloé Kardashian Are Twins in Their Matching Outfits and "Mom Bobs"," 30 July 2018 His forms are matter-of-fact yet absurd; not surreal, but disturbing and haunting in their blunt, bare, cold realism and their moonlit, nocturnal palette. — Lance Esplund, WSJ, "‘Metaphysical Masterpieces 1916-1920: Morandi, Sironi, and Carrà’ Review: Every Object’s Mysteries," 16 Jan. 2019 Chin-grazing cuts reigned over the year's biggest beauty headlines, as Jennifer Lopez, Saoirse Ronan and Kim Kardashian West picked up the shears in favor of blunt, graphic crops. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "The Celebrity Hair Transformations That Ruled 2018," 9 Dec. 2018 And then there is the highlighter pink hair, as seen on Japanese pop stars Amiaya, who showed off their twinning bubblegum pink blunt bobs in Florence. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "The First Breakout Beauty Trend of 2019 Is Already Blowing Up on Instagram," 10 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blunt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.