bluff 1 of 3

Definition of bluffnext

bluff

2 of 3

noun

as in cliff
a steep wall of rock, earth, or ice fossils embedded in a stone bluff that date from the Jurassic period

Synonyms & Similar Words

bluff

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bluff distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of bluff are blunt, brusque, crusty, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When can blunt be used instead of bluff?

The meanings of blunt and bluff largely overlap; however, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When is it sensible to use brusque instead of bluff?

While the synonyms brusque and bluff are close in meaning, brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When might crusty be a better fit than bluff?

Although the words crusty and bluff have much in common, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When would curt be a good substitute for bluff?

The words curt and bluff can be used in similar contexts, but curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When could gruff be used to replace bluff?

In some situations, the words gruff and bluff are roughly equivalent. However, gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

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 bluff
Adjective
One day in 2010, an e-mail from Steve Wentzel, the Zimbabwean tycoon, arrived in the in-box of one of South Pole’s founders—a tall, bluff German man named Christian Dannecker. Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 Though the Explorer majors much more on practicality, somehow Ford has managed to turn a fairly bluff front-end styling and generally boxy silhouette familiar to properly sensible family SUV into an attractive design. WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023
Noun
The two-acre campus is structured around a reconstructed bluff on the Mississippi River, known locally as the promenade. Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026 Follow the winding boardwalk down the bluff to discover what might be one of the Florida panhandle's quietest little beaches. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Verb
Don't try to bluff this deal, and get it asap! Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026 But now, prompting ChatGPT to bluff a reflection is no harder than prompting it to define terms. ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bluff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluff
Adjective
  • At the scene, police found Creech with blunt force injuries, WBNS reported.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that her cause of death was blunt force trauma.
    Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Whenever someone reaches the top of the 25-meter (82-feet) cliff — often for the first time — spectators, instructors and climbers break into applause.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Every twenty minutes cliff divers, costumed characters, and magicians put on performances and interact with diners.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Barcenas' tea-sipping celebration was a tribute to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave's owners, who pretended to take a sip of tea after scoring in a match against England during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Well, Ariana seems to remember, whereas Hudson is determined to just undo the breakup and pretend like none of it ever happened.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Germany's World Cup run came to an abrupt end in the Round of 32 after a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Naval liaison groups have yet to comment on the abrupt U-turns, although the Joint Maritime Intelligence Center repeated on Sunday that Iranian forces continue to harass shipping.
    Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Built around a towering sandstone escarpment that rises through the centre of the property, surrounded by a deliciously cold pool, the architecture was conceived in careful negotiation with the landscape.
    Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
  • The tents are perched on top of escarpment with views of the TK below.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate stores or rank high in search results, tricking desperate consumers into buying non-existent AC units.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The revenge story saw Tucker's exes convincing Snow's Kate to trick the ladies' man into falling in love with her.
    Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • During its week-long test this past March, engineering teams monitored ERNEST across several navigational scenarios, including traveling at night and other poor lighting conditions to simulate certain lunar environments.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • These digital tools are built upon real-world operational datasets gathered from active fusion research environments, which will allow the company to simulate and optimize fuel handling processes before physical implementation.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluff. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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