blunt

1 of 3

adjective

ˈblənt 

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 1a) 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

Synonyms of blunt

Adjective

• abrupt
• short
• gruff
• curt
• brusque
• outspoken
• rude

Verb

• dull
• reduce
• numb

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

Gocaj did not die from the fall but as a result of burns and the inhalation of scalding steam, along with blunt-force injury to her chest, according to the city’s medical examiner. — David K. Li, NBC news, 17 July 2026

An autopsy revealed Gocaj’s cause of death as a combination of scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026

Verb

For months, many North County leaders have criticized and tried to blunt the impacts of a new state law that overrides local zoning to allow high-rise housing near transit stops. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

Kagan writes first solo dissent Liberal Justice Elena Kagan is known to work with her conservative colleagues to craft narrower rulings to blunt their impact. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Noun

Beyond that, her influences are wide-ranging, extending to a viral picture of Rihanna rolling a blunt on her security guard’s head at Coachella in 2012. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

The chin-length blunt bob is one easily styled to suit your style. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 27 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing blunt

• blunt instrument
• blunt trauma

Rhymes for blunt

• brunt
• bunt
• front
• grunt
• shunt
• stunt
• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt

Kids Definition

blunt

1 of 2 adjective

ˈblənt 

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