blunt 1 of 2

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
Meanwhile, June Ambrose blurred the lines between fashion and beauty, sporting a big black bow in her blunt cut ponytail as her most prominent accessory. Essence, 3 Nov. 2025 The Ada County Coroner’s Office said in April that Masson died of traumatic blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was listed as an accident. Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both outcomes might also blunt the risk of further great-power escalation in this deeply chaotic geopolitical time. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025 For example, Rumsey said, eating kiwi with Greek yogurt and nut butter may help blunt the spike in blood sugar. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
  • While some of these chains have faced ongoing issues, others are experiencing abrupt downturns after enjoying recent periods of strength — with no turnaround in sight.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Nearly 7 million people on Medicare use telehealth services every year to see their doctors, but the federal shutdown put an abrupt halt on payments covering those services.
    Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But that did little to dull the vitriol targeting the military’s top lawyer.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Pierre was short, with a white beard and flamboyant wild hair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • These bacteria ferment or break down prebiotics, releasing compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Patterson was hired in a guest role as the gruff diner owner with a heart of gold, Luke Danes.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Some doctors use numbing cream, a vibrating tool, or a dental block to help reduce in-the-moment pain.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Although the brain itself has no pain receptors, Bacon was given local anesthetic to numb her scalp and skull, as doctors made holes half the size of a small coin in her skull and implanted the stimulating electrodes inside.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Others were more curt, saying that the speech is nothing but hot air.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Less than a day later, a curt follow-up email landed in many of their inboxes informing them that they weren’t being let go after all.
    Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Farrell, by contrast, plays a brusque, dim henchman named Alec, who’s there mostly to look tough and briefly talk about Star Wars.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • As her symptoms rapidly worsened, a rather brusque doctor was called to our house.
    Patti Newton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.

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