variants
also brusk
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
a brusque and unhelpful reply from the clerk in the hardware store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 brusque
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
Cumdumpster, by contrast, was brusque, peremptory, and stingy with his scores, as if I’d been put on earth to curate pornography for him.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 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
In his breakthrough role, Redford played the brusque and dangerous Sundance opposite Paul Newman's personable Butch in the box-office smash, the iconic buddy Western about two outlaws on the run after a series of train robberies.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brusque
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Cumdumpster, by contrast, was brusque, peremptory, and stingy with his scores, as if I’d been put on earth to curate pornography for him.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 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
In his breakthrough role, Redford played the brusque and dangerous Sundance opposite Paul Newman's personable Butch in the box-office smash, the iconic buddy Western about two outlaws on the run after a series of train robberies.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
Adjective
-
As South African film and TV industry workers continued to grapple with the fallout from Canal+’s abrupt decision to shutter homegrown streaming service Showmax this week, one question seemed to be on the lips of every attendee at the JBX market in Johannesburg.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Kansas City Chiefs' decade-long run of playoff appearances came to an abrupt end in Week 15 last season.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The French bob Chin length and with blunt-ish ends, the French bob gives fine hair natural movement and texture.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Causes of death are almost infinite, Harding noted — gunshot wounds, heart attack, illness, blunt force trauma.—
Shannon Tyler
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Most have direct, short-ish flights from the East Coast, making an 11th-hour spring break trip that much easier to pull off.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The tech came on a play in which Flagg drove through the lane with the ball and attempted a short shot.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps surprisingly, the unfair pay and rude management didn’t trigger the most significant changes in attitude.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Whether a dish is tied to a long-standing family tradition, cultural heritage, or simply a treasured memory, etiquette experts say there’s nothing rude about choosing to keep certain recipes private.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
