variants also brusk

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brusque distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of brusque are bluff, blunt, crusty, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

In what contexts can bluff take the place of brusque?

The meanings of bluff and brusque largely overlap; however, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When might blunt be a better fit than brusque?

While in some cases nearly identical to brusque, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

Where would crusty be a reasonable alternative to brusque?

The words crusty and brusque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When could curt be used to replace brusque?

The synonyms curt and brusque are sometimes interchangeable, but curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When is gruff a more appropriate choice than brusque?

While the synonyms gruff and brusque are close in meaning, 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 brusque Near the end of our interview, his brusque exterior cracked. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 June 2025 But a few weeks before its initial six-month contract was set to run out, in mid-September 1994, things came to a brusque end. Christopher Clark, The Dial, 13 May 2025 An outgoing, flirty foil to Ellie’s brusque, steely demeanor, Dina’s playful banter with her pal is laced with the charge of friendly conversation that could tip into romantic intimacy on a dime. Abby Monteil, Them., 14 Apr. 2025 For example, while one team member might feel valued by direct and candid communication, another may interpret the same approach as brusque or insensitive, instead needing more consideration or attention. Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
Adjective
  • However, her time in Fiji came to an abrupt end as shown during Episode 30, which aired on Sunday, July 6.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • The third free practice at Silverstone saw two red flags in the final ten minutes, bringing the session to an abrupt halt.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Long-winded or hesitant responses in meetings meet with a curt response.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • In other words — not to be too blunt about it — employers took responsibility for training their workers to work for them.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 5 July 2025
  • The man identified as Moore-Hodges walked away from the park around 3:50 a.m. According to the complaint, an autopsy on June 30 affirmed the victim died of multiple blunt force injuries to his head and neck.
    Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nearly one in four Gen Z professionals viewed the thumbs-up as rude or hostile.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • This strikes me as rude and short-sighted (no pun intended).
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
  • Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • For short or light exercise, plain water is usually the best choice.75 Many people use Gatorade to hydrate after being sick.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 1 July 2025
  • To prove their point that filmmaking is an outstanding creative process, and can be done with no money, the sisters shot their first ever short film in a hot air balloon, 2000 meters up in the air.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The snippy robot begins the film with her body destroyed but her ego as big as ever.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • The Next Generations and had recurring roles as the snippy Emma Johnson on NBC’s 227 and as a judge on ABC’s The Practice.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • On July 2, Comedy Central sent out an unceremonious press release announcing plans to push the season-27 premiere of South Park, announced back in April, from July 9 to July 23.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 2 July 2025
  • Then everything came to an unceremonious stop last September, after just one year, even as Mamdani sought to expand it to three lines per borough.
    Ben Brachfeld, Curbed, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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