BLUNTNESS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

bluntness

noun

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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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 bluntness If someone tends to have more of a combative communication style, they might have been raised to see bluntness as just telling the truth. —

Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026 Queen Elizabeth loved Kelly’s pragmatic bluntness and viewed her as an incredibly loyal friend. —

Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 Inspired by the super cropped bobs of the roaring 1920s, the French bob is similar to a one-length short bob, but sans any harsh bluntness. —

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026 Close is known for her bluntness and passion that has endeared her to fans and to her players. —

Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026 Villa’s offensive bluntness has exacerbated other wrinkles within Emery’s collective structure. —

Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 She’s built a career on candid takes about relationships, work and the absurdities of everyday life, delivered with her trademark mix of bluntness and charm. —

Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026 Claxton boiled it down to the same thing, only with a player’s bluntness. —

C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026 What mattered was not the bluntness of the phrase, but the calm delivery. —

Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluntness

Noun

That naturally raised questions, not about whether the laws of time and space had been upended but about the efficacy, and honesty, of the billing systems being used by the firms, the city or both.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
But even though abusive relationships tend to form tragic patterns, honesty isn’t all that’s necessary for a good narrative, and this one proves repetitive.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026