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 Publicly, throughout his career, Tortorella has been both thoughtful and earnest in some moments and blunt and brusque in others. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025 Young Ari doesn’t want to confront the reality that her mother might never return, though the brusque independence with which Bateman carries herself tells its own story, as though Ari has had to contend with this scenario before. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025 The actor lowers his voice slightly, granting the newer Mickey a more confident, brusque personality. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025 The world’s third largest economy goes to the polls Sunday under the shadow of unusually brusque interventions from the Trump administration in support of the anti-immigration far right. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
Adjective
  • Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • And that’s before considering Andrew Witty’s abrupt exit announced just this week.
    Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 May 2025
  • But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.
    Adam Goldman, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Vanney’s assessment of the loss was incredibly blunt.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 11 May 2025
  • Mallen’s character is a blunt, irreverent woman with a thick Southern accent, a tendency toward microaggressions and a talent for manipulation.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Proctor sent a series of rude, lewd and unprofessional text messages about Read and the investigation, which led to his firing.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025
  • There was also a three-homer game for Pablo Sandoval in the 2012 World Series, but it’s considered rude to talk about that in 2025.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The latter is the name of a short projection show at Disney California Adventure (DCA).
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • DeChambeau battled, but could not get his part of his short game going.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The banter among the Thunderbolts is droll without ever trying too hard, and snippy without ever putting the team’s unity in doubt.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Things are, per forma, cool and snippy at the start, until Claire suggests a road trip and a tentative robot romance blossoms.
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Houston Rockets' season came crashing to an unceremonious end Sunday.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
  • And despite only playing three times since his last win on Feb. 22 — Gustavsson has started 13 of the past 14 games — Fleury has not outwardly shown any disappointment despite the unceremonious way his career is coming to an end.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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