Synonyms of crusty

crusty

adjective

ˈkrə-stē 

as in blunt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner

a crusty old fisherman who doesn't care to have his picture taken with silly tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blunt
• gruff
• abrupt
• short
• curt
• brusque
• outspoken
• downright
• rude
• snippy
• bluff
• unceremonious
• crass
• honest
• plain
• short-spoken
• rough
• vulgar
• snappish
• frank
• straightforward
• candid
• plainspoken
• coarse
• disrespectful
• straight-out
• direct
• open
• artless
• reserved
• earnest
• discourteous
• laconic
• forthright
• tactless
• inconsiderate
• insensitive
• impolite
• impertinent
• undiplomatic
• brief
• free-spoken
• terse
• reticent
• uncouth
• sincere
• point-blank
• closemouthed
• foursquare
• crude
• tight-lipped
• low

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• civil
• smooth
• polite
• diplomatic
• suave
• courteous
• gracious
• circuitous
• considerate
• tactful
• politic
• loquacious
• talkative
• voluble
• mealymouthed
• polished
• verbose
• prolix
• genteel
• gallant
• refined
• cultivated
• courtly
• long-winded

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

Recent Examples of crusty

His pre-teen son in tow, Luis joins up with a crusty group of dancers who are heading to a secret party in the heart of the desert, where the beats will be loud enough to drown out the sounds of the apocalyptic war that’s brewing around them. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025

Clean your grimy phone If your devices become sticky, crusty or crumb-infested, Ek said to wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth, followed by a disinfectant wipe. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025

Place the faucet or faucets into a large resealable plastic bag standing upright, with the crusty side down. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025

Anderson doesn’t portray Bob, an alias that the character assumes after going into hiding, as a crusty leftover from an earlier era. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025