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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
Largely, that is down to their alarmingly blunt attack. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Preliminary results of the examination confirm Tiggelaar died as a result of homicidal blunt force trauma. Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Pharmaceutical products The new 100% tariff on pharmaceutical imports appears to make several notable exemptions, which could blunt its impact on many of the drugs Americans are most familiar with and use most frequently. Connor Greene, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 But Kemp's remarks about his competitors are unlikely to generate any goodwill in the launch industry and may blunt support for Astra's rejuvenation. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ‘ONE LAST CHANCE’ – Lawmakers reveal how Adams' abrupt campaign exit impacts NYC mayoral race.
    , FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Their results under him have been largely grim, but United have more than footballing reasons to bear in mind when considering whether or not to bring the Amorim experiment to an abrupt end.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The demands of the job don’t dull the pain of being absent from inflection points in each of his daughter’s lives.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The key to restoring that perfect onion split is maintaining a sharp knife, though for years, my attempts at using a whetstone were more likely to dull the edge more than sharpen it.
    Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While the average cruise length is around seven days, short sailings can pack an entire vacation’s worth of fun into a mid-week getaway or long weekend.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Ross is also taller, giving officers more viewing coverage above crowds than Walking Horses, which can be as short as 14 hands, or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This pays off to some extent because Day-Lewis is such a mesmerizing presence, Ray’s gruff manner and terse communications hinting at dark mysteries to be revealed.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Once numbing kicks in, most patients describe the day as straightforward.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The pins went through the scalp and were docked on the surface of her skull with numbing cream.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Asked to assess his own performance afterward, Howard was curt.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The answers Nora gets back from Azad’s father and brother are dismissive, curt, and even threatening.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • No president has ever fired a commissioner, and many commissioners have been outspoken advocates for free speech.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The legendary journalist and author's first husband Jay Monahan died of colon cancer in 1998 which spurred her to be an outspoken advocate and fundraiser for cancer research.
    Kiran Hefa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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