bluntness

noun

Definition of bluntnessnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness — and profanity — in assessing players, plays, games or whatever. — CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Their snobbery is juxtaposed with Carney’s friend and colleague Pepper’s unsettling bluntness and eyeball to eyeball stare. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Tshabalala’s bluntness about the economic cost is the rare honest signal here; business will not be pacified by euphemisms. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 With his usual bluntness, Jokic said the Nuggets weren’t a good enough team to win last season based on the results. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026 And thanks to his bluntness, something clicked. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 June 2026 Slot, as head coach, was more of a middle manager; someone who acted with the objectivity of a civil servant and the occasional bluntness of a corrections officer. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 30 May 2026 Rise and fall But Healy, with her characteristic bluntness, didn’t sugar-coat what happened to that law. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026 If a culture prizes bluntness, ask where honesty has been missing. — Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluntness
  1. honesty
  2. sincerity
  3. frankness
  4. directness
  5. forthrightness
  6. candor
  7. straightforwardness
  8. outspokenness
Noun
  • The host then praises the coach's honesty and the panel's grace.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Both help make the case that unfamous people, in all their honesty and complexity, are as worthy of our attention as celebrities.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of honesty
Noun
  • This is what gives the film its experiential sincerity — the lived perspective of its Ukrainian crew leaving a nonfictional trace across every level of the fiction, something Stever handles with unusual reverence.
    — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Though the familiar tropes of YA storytelling exist throughout, the series engages with the genre’s conventions earnestly and with sincerity, says Halsall.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • The show also depicts its hardships with disarming frankness, even verging on despondency.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Her love for the city is palpable, imbued with her frankness, her fun, her queerness, and her history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of frankness
Noun
  • The songwriting of the era became another source of inspiration, particularly its directness and simplicity.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • While Arsenal’s directness from last summer’s friendlies did not stick, the Rice-Zubimendi partnership did, showing how important these warm-up matches can be.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of directness
Noun
  • Alvarado has had to address that in the wake of the film’s release, and perhaps that forthrightness has aided the box office.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Your forthrightness will set the tone for future dates.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Definition of forthrightness
Noun
  • For this reason, many are praising OpenAI for its transparency and candor around the event.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Policymakers must gain the support of the American people and Congress through candor and consultation.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of candor
Noun
  • But the Windows handheld software experience on the Claw is just awful compared to the straightforwardness of SteamOS on the Steam Deck.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 June 2026
  • On Monday morning, Starmer, whose resignation has appeared inevitable for some time, delivered the news with his customary straightforwardness.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Definition of straightforwardness
Noun
  • Her political outspokenness and fearlessness in challenging the danger women face in flaunting their sexuality, particularly in her native Argentina, is one of her strengths, as is her ability to imagine a new world where that violence doesn’t exist.
    — E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
  • His outspokenness has spurred discourse among country music's Republican-leaning audience.
    — Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of outspokenness

Browse Nearby Words

bluntly
bluntness
blunts
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Cite this Entry

“Bluntness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluntness. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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