Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

blunt

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of blunt

1 being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner

  • he values honesty and is quite blunt about telling people what he doesn't like about them
Synonyms of blunt

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

gruff, rough, snappish

candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, open, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, point-blank, straightforward, straight-out

artless, discourteous, disrespectful, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, insensitive, rude, tactless, undiplomatic

brief, closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, terse, tight-lipped

earnest, honest, sincere

coarse, crass, crude, low, uncouth, vulgar
Near Antonyms of blunt

civil, considerate, courteous, diplomatic, gracious, polite, politic, smooth, suave, tactful

loquacious, talkative, voluble

long-winded, prolix, verbose

courtly, cultivated, gallant, genteel, polished, refined
Antonyms of blunt

circuitous, mealymouthed

2 lacking sharpness of edge or point

  • a blunt knife won't open that package
Synonyms of blunt

blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse
Words Related to blunt

dullish

rounded, smooth

even, flat, flattened, level
Near Antonyms of blunt

jagged, needlelike, prickly, spiked, spikelike, spiky (also spikey), spiny

jabbing, lacerating, piercing, scratching, stabbing

ultrasharp
Antonyms of blunt

cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, pointed, sharp, sharpened, whetted

Synonym Discussion of 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

blunt

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of blunt

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling

  • the mushy music blunted the effect of the movieʼs final tragic scene
Synonyms of blunt

benumb, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, dull, numb
Words Related to blunt

muffle, mute, tone (down)

decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), lower, reduce, subdue

debilitate, enfeeble, weaken

dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane

alleviate, ease, lighten

abate, moderate
Near Antonyms of blunt

amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen

animate, arouse, stimulate
Antonyms of blunt

sharpen, whet

Learn More about blunt

  1. See words that rhyme with blunt Dictionary: Definition of blunt Spanish Central: Translation of blunt Nglish: Translation of blunt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of blunt for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up blunt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

perforce

by force of circumstances

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games