as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
the refreshing bluntness of the former president in assessing those who followed him in the Oval Office
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Recent Examples of bluntness
In films like that, the cultural commentary comes more from metaphor than with the bluntness and directness of The Purge.
—
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s been a bluntness all season to the Hermits’ chats that ordinarily might grate on me.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
There’s a bluntness to GALE’s lyrics that makes her music refreshingly relatable.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
The timing and bluntness of Musk’s statement ignited social platforms, as supporters and skeptics alike debated the possibility of corporate malfeasance or cover-up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
The statistics weren’t new, but her doctor’s bluntness was.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Of course, the only thing unique about Cluely’s sales pitch is its bluntness; plenty of other AI companies have been selling the same thing using more polite and socially acceptable language for years.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Her negotiation style is disarming bluntness.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s been a bluntness all season to the Hermits’ chats that ordinarily might grate on me.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
There’s a bluntness to GALE’s lyrics that makes her music refreshingly relatable.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
The timing and bluntness of Musk’s statement ignited social platforms, as supporters and skeptics alike debated the possibility of corporate malfeasance or cover-up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
The statistics weren’t new, but her doctor’s bluntness was.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Of course, the only thing unique about Cluely’s sales pitch is its bluntness; plenty of other AI companies have been selling the same thing using more polite and socially acceptable language for years.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Her negotiation style is disarming bluntness.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluntness
Noun
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The reshoots have even made some cinephiles question the honesty of their favorite critics.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
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Jesús, from a sense of honesty, truth, authenticity and Luis has that and incredible actor’s technique.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Suddenly, sincerity felt like a fresher approach to a contemporary political story—more interesting, more unexpected, and more aligned with my artistic ethos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Even with the emotional whiplash of Edward's shifting moods, Pattinson channels a sober sincerity that's almost magnetic.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But despite its frankness, the show is more interested in ambition than in sexuality or gender relations.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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The recording of that release as depicted in the documentary is the balancing light to the overwhelming dark Osbourne experienced in his later years, a series of illnesses, hospitalizations, frustrations and ceaseless pain shown with unblinking frankness.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Radha asked, with the directness of a doctor’s child.—
Sam Lipsyte,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
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Pace was central to everything good about Forest, who were set up to hit opposition with explosive speed and directness on the counter-attack through players such as Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness.—
Nona Han,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Her candor hasn’t been dented—this is a woman who clearly feels and cares deeply about the world.—
Helen Mirren,
Glamour,
27 Oct. 2025
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For Bondi, the challenge now is restoring credibility with the judiciary and reaffirming the department’s duty of candor.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Kirk's outspokenness helped dissuade those fears.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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While the rise of GLP-1s brings a myriad of valid concerns − such as its contribution to disordered eating and promotion of thinness as the ideal body type − Williams' outspokenness is a crucial, balanced example of healthy and transparent GLP-1 usage.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluntness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluntness. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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