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
In the front, blunt bangs cover the forehead, followed by jaw-length pieces in front of the ears. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025 An autopsy determined a frontal-parietal skull fracture occurred that was consistent with blunt force trauma. Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
In addition, Goddard agreed to drop the number of residential units in the project from 485 to 455, a reduction Cunningham said will help blunt its impact. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025 Bobs come in all shapes and lengths, from cheekbones to collarbones, from layered to blunt. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
  • He was stationed in Belize years earlier when Dalton ordered an abrupt evacuation of British troops from the area.
    Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • But later that night, the movie takes a dark, abrupt turn Tess suspects there’s something far more sinister lurking in this house than a simple booking mix-up.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Many parents struggle with how to support adult children without dulling their drive or setting unrealistic expectations.
    Bob Sponseller, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
  • My sleep was fractured, my health declined, my decisions dulled, and my confidence wavered.
    Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The louder the sound, the shorter amount of time a person should be exposed to it.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The Elevated Velocity’s profile ― long hood, spacious interior, short rear overhang, fastback rear end ― is consistent with the current Cadillac Lyriq and Celestiq.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Work Ethic Camp was opened in 2001 and initially designed to reduce prison overcrowding, according to a Nebraska legislative report, providing the incarcerated with life skills training, substance abuse treatment and work experience.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The bacterium, residing harmlessly in the guts of laboratory and fetal mice, reduced accumulation of mercury, the researchers said.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The central quartet of friends have a supportive connection underneath all their hormones and egos — Elba proves a standout as the gruff but warm defacto leader — that makes their bloody and sexed-up misadventures oddly wholesome.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Dougal MacKenzie loves a good prank — and so do the actors who play the gruff Highland Scot.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Rather than just numbing the body, reactivating GluD1 activity recalibrated how the brain processes pain.
    Siddhesh Sabnis, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
  • The procedure is quick and happens in the eye doctor’s office; typically, a patient’s eyes are numbed before the plug is inserted.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • The judge was curt but courteous; a Spanish-language interpreter was available on a large video screen to his right.
    Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
  • If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Costco has been an outspoken advocate of DEI, choosing not to flounder under pressure from DEI opponents, and has seen a net increase in sales, which many attribute to their doubling down of DEI.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Read more: Wings' Paige Bueckers Reveals Main WNBA Inspiration Without Hesitation Sabally, who also serves as a union representative, has been among the most outspoken voices as the WNBA and players' association negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
    Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.

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