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
  • These findings suggest a shift toward stronger, more abrupt convective storms.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • This abrupt change in policy will devastate the booming Florida solar industry and prevent millions of homeowners and businesses across the state from saving money and asserting energy choice with solar for years to come.
    Susan Tanski, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 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
  • An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe had died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 25 June 2025
  • Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, one of blunt force trauma, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman told Judge Kimberly Menninger during Monday’s hearing, drawing gasps from the owners in the courtroom gallery.
    Sean Emery, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • And even if that feels rude by the standards of today, people were forced to answer her questions and answer to the things that the public wanted to know.
    Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 23 June 2025
  • There are so many things that can be off or what if just the woman walks in and just is not attracted to the guy or the man is rude to the waiter.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 21 June 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
  • The rapper mostly looked at the judge during the short court session.
    Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 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
  • The group, once a dominant force in the women's division, came to an unceremonious end due to releases and injuries.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
  • Senate Bill 6, which would have required camps operated by towns and cities across Connecticut to be regulated by the state, had received support in the Senate, but efforts to move that forward came to an unceremonious end when the House failed to take it up on the last day of the session.
    Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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