1
as in abrupt
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 & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
a blunt knife won't open that package
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 May 2026
This works because the calf muscles—especially the soleus—use a lot of glucose to function, helping pull it from the bloodstream and blunt post-meal spikes.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 4 May 2026
Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
In an attempt to blunt the fuel conservation strategies that have become prevalent at superspeedways, NASCAR instituted a 98-lap first stage that covered more than half the race distance (which is typically the length of the final stage).
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Adjective
Longoria was blunt about her role in helping Alegría and Urrejola.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 May 2026
This works because the calf muscles—especially the soleus—use a lot of glucose to function, helping pull it from the bloodstream and blunt post-meal spikes.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 4 May 2026
Verb
Fiber in whole wheat bread and fructose in honey help blunt blood sugar spikes.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
In an attempt to blunt the fuel conservation strategies that have become prevalent at superspeedways, NASCAR instituted a 98-lap first stage that covered more than half the race distance (which is typically the length of the final stage).
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
-
Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgical removal of the ovaries, can also trigger an earlier or more abrupt transition, says Batur.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
In their first must-win game of these playoffs, the Ducks will have to make an abrupt about face from Game 3 in order to even their best-of-seven, second-round series in Sunday’s Game 4.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The results have been impressive enough from far away, but examined more closely as a blunted, external force, Big Brother has almost always been too literal in horror cinema.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Orientation matters; garlic is planted vertically, with the root (blunted) end of the clove facing down, and the sprout (pointy) end facing up.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The researchers positioned intuitive attunement as something that gets dulled by painful experience and reclaimed through healing.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The blades are then able to rotate freely without constantly coming into contact with debris, which can prematurely dull the edges.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Momager Kris Jenner joined her daughter, who also showcased a different hair look with a short bob and bangs.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
-
And its other selections all boast skill sets that can help the team in the short and long term.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1994, American teenager Michael Fay was caned at a Singaporean prison for vandalism, a day after his sentence was reduced from six lashes to four in response to an appeal by President Bill Clinton.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has—unfairly—been reduced to an excuse to drink tequila and eat guac.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Apparently, the gruff fighter Johnny Cage wasn’t much of a match for the all-powerful Miranda Priestly.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 May 2026
-
Iron Maiden’s singer when Smith joined, Di’Anno, had short hair and a uniquely gruff voice but couldn’t cut it on the road.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One key tactic the Germans learned from Americans was that American sports reporting and sensationalizing was meant to show bravado, while the Nazi variant was deliberately used to numb and mislead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But that doesn’t numb the pain — both the physical pain of all the injuries and the mental anguish of not living up to expectations — that came with it.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After three minutes of routine and relatively curt responses, Redick was asked about the difficulty of closing a team out in a playoff series.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Our separation would need to be curt and the novel did it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
