blunt

1 of 3

adjective

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
2
a
: 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.
3
a
: 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
bluntly adverb
bluntness noun

blunt

2 of 3

verb

blunted; blunting; blunts

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

3 of 3

noun

: a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana
Choose the Right Synonym for blunt

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
Sanchez, 47, died hours later of blunt force trauma to the head. Spin Staff, SPIN, 26 Sep. 2024 Sanchez, 47, was pronounced dead at a hospital later that day from blunt force trauma. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
Trump has ramped up his campaigning in recent weeks to try to blunt Harris’ momentum, blanketing the battleground states with rallies and other appearances. Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2024 After the explosion, CNBC says SpaceX scrambled to rebuild the launchpad and install a water deluge system meant to blunt the tremendous heat, energy, and sound from launches. Justine Calma, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2024
Noun
Now edibles can be eaten and blunts blazed at a large outdoor consumption lounge for those 21 and over. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 11 July 2024 Transferring a metaphor from one use to another blunts its effect. Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for blunt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blunt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English blont, of uncertain origin

Verb

Middle English blonten, verbal derivative of blont blunt entry 1

Noun

from blunt "a short, thick cigar," noun derivative of blunt entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blunt was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near blunt

Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blunt. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

blunt

1 of 2 adjective
1
: slow or lacking in feeling or understanding
2
: having an edge or point that is not sharp
3
: abrupt in speech or manner
bluntly adverb
bluntness noun

blunt

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become less sharp

More from Merriam-Webster on blunt

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