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blunt

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word blunt distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of blunt are bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When would bluff be a good substitute for blunt?

The words bluff and blunt can be used in similar contexts, but bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When is brusque a more appropriate choice than blunt?

The words brusque and blunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When might crusty be a better fit than blunt?

While the synonyms crusty and blunt are close in meaning, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

Where would curt be a reasonable alternative to blunt?

The meanings of curt and blunt largely overlap; however, curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When can gruff be used instead of blunt?

Although the words gruff and blunt have much in common, 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 blunt
Adjective
Join 81 others in the comments View Comments The chain’s blunt assessment of the economic environment mirrors that of other companies, with Chipotle, Yum! Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 Cam Newton, a one-time NFL MVP, delivered a blunt message to Shedeur Sanders on his podcast earlier this week after the drama surrounding the college star’s draft slide. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
By the mid-20th century, the income tax, along with a whole host of developments in law and in the economy, helped blunt the excessive 19th-century economic inequality. Made By History, Time, 16 Apr. 2025 Lee said the former British colony, which came under Beijing’s control in 1997 but has limited autonomy, would draw closer to the Chinese mainland, sign more free trade agreements and strive to attract more foreign investment to help blunt the impact of the higher U.S. duties. Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
  • While part of that abrupt leap stemmed from the fallout of the pandemic, including the minor-league season being canceled, that’s not what would happen today.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
  • The latest and most abrupt blow came when the U.S., by far the largest funder, canceled hundreds of millions in grants.
    Gabriel Spitzer, NPR, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • My protagonist drinks to dull the sharp edges of motherhood, to quiet the restless ache of unmet expectations, and to grasp at the fleeting illusion of control in a life that often feels anything but.
    Jessica Guerrieri, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • In the last couple episodes, dude seemed to chill out and dull down his sharper edges.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • The latter is the name of a short projection show at Disney California Adventure (DCA).
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The Preakness at 1 3/16 miles is slightly shorter than the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, but there’s optimism about close-to-normal conditions after nearly a week’s worth of rain fell on Baltimore and mucked up the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course.
    Stephen Whyno, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The Massachusetts native poignantly opens up about her trials and tribulations along the way, dealing with numbing heartbreak and being the victim of domestic abuse.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025
  • And, not for nothing, but even the relative passivity of television isn’t safe from the numbing glut of streaming content.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 May 2025
  • But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.
    Adam Goldman, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Still others pointed to red being a prominent GOP color, while some urged outspoken Trump hater Mark Hamill (the one and only Luke Skywalker) to comment on the matter.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 May 2025
  • What To Know Paul, an outspoken critic of Trump's tariff plans, has positioned himself sharply against the leader of his party by cosponsoring a bill aimed to thwart the president from using emergency powers to implement tariffs.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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