Synonym Chooser

How is the word crusty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of crusty are bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

Where would bluff be a reasonable alternative to crusty?

The synonyms bluff and crusty are sometimes interchangeable, but bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When can blunt be used instead of crusty?

While the synonyms blunt and crusty are close in meaning, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When might brusque be a better fit than crusty?

The words brusque and crusty can be used in similar contexts, but brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When could curt be used to replace crusty?

While in some cases nearly identical to crusty, curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When is gruff a more appropriate choice than crusty?

Although the words gruff and crusty have much in common, 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 crusty The patisserie, founded by Matti Knio, is known for its beautiful French pastries such as cakes and tarts, a variety of croissants and crusty baguettes. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Much like the crusty main character, Igor, the film’s director said his favorite way to enjoy truffles is fairly straightforward. Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Serve immediately with crusty bread or garlic bread. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025 Whether shown vigorously doing push-ups (the elderly actor is still in tremendous shape) or in tender moments with O’Toole that remind us that sensuality needn’t diminish with age, Glenn owns the film from first moment to last, investing his crusty character with dignity and subtle humor. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crusty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crusty
Adjective
  • Related Stories His latest is a blunt cinematic instrument — loud, loaded and bursting with carnage and ideological angst.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In December 2024, Anderson revealed blunt bangs at a screening of her film The Last Showgirl in West Hollywood.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This pays off to some extent because Day-Lewis is such a mesmerizing presence, Ray’s gruff manner and terse communications hinting at dark mysteries to be revealed.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ‘ONE LAST CHANCE’ – Lawmakers reveal how Adams' abrupt campaign exit impacts NYC mayoral race.
    , FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Their results under him have been largely grim, but United have more than footballing reasons to bear in mind when considering whether or not to bring the Amorim experiment to an abrupt end.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While the average cruise length is around seven days, short sailings can pack an entire vacation’s worth of fun into a mid-week getaway or long weekend.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Ross is also taller, giving officers more viewing coverage above crowds than Walking Horses, which can be as short as 14 hands, or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • No president has ever fired a commissioner, and many commissioners have been outspoken advocates for free speech.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The legendary journalist and author's first husband Jay Monahan died of colon cancer in 1998 which spurred her to be an outspoken advocate and fundraiser for cancer research.
    Kiran Hefa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • The answers Nora gets back from Azad’s father and brother are dismissive, curt, and even threatening.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2025
  • These and a few other basic elements recur throughout Martinů’s œuvre: curt themes, darting rhythms, tangy harmonies, glittering textures.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crusty. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crusty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!