CURT Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'curt' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of curt are bluff , blunt , brusque , crusty , and gruff . While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness. // a curt command

Q: Where would 'bluff' be a reasonable alternative to 'curt'?

The words bluff and curt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality. // a bluff manner

Q: When could 'blunt' be used to replace 'curt'?

While in some cases nearly identical to curt , blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings. // a blunt appraisal

Q: When would 'brusque' be a good substitute for 'curt'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'crusty' take the place of 'curt'?

The meanings of crusty and curt largely overlap; however, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness. // a crusty exterior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gruff' instead of 'curt'?

In some situations, the words gruff and curt are roughly equivalent. However, gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness. // puts on a gruff pose

curt

adjective

ˈkərt

Definition of curt

as in blunt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner she was offended by the curt reply to her well-meaning question

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning on a daily basis she e-mailed to her commanders curt reports on the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word curt distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of curt are bluff, blunt, brusque, crusty, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

Where would bluff be a reasonable alternative to curt?

The words bluff and curt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When could blunt be used to replace curt?

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

a blunt appraisal

When would brusque be a good substitute for curt?

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

a brusque response

In what contexts can crusty take the place of curt?

The meanings of crusty and curt largely overlap; however, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When is it sensible to use gruff instead of curt?

In some situations, the words gruff and curt are roughly equivalent. However, 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 curt But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026 Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026 Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration -- and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — Andrew Seligman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026 The host and White House correspondent had a curt reaction to the president's lengthy social media rant. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curt

Adjective

One died of blunt force trauma and heat stroke, eight others died of heat stroke, and two of the dogs had been cremated and no cause of death was determined, the office said.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
Besides, Beckham practically radiates the sort of star power that dispenses with the need for endless chatter; like Michael Jordan in his Hanes/Space Jam heyday, his physical presence takes precedent over the usual run of blunt-force loquacity.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of blunt

Adjective

Trust her to direct you to the right bottle on her concise, personal list, or to pour you a glass of something exciting from a nightly-changing selection.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Donna Kelce, mother of Travis and Jason, gave a concise reaction to the wedding while speaking with Macy's at the company's Fourth of July event in New York.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of concise

Adjective

Nichols argues that this abrupt termination led to a breakdown of trust and supply chains, which are challenging to reinstate.

— Kazeem Olawale Nasiru, NPR, 17 July 2026
Microsoft tied itself tightly to OpenAI through a series of investments, but the two companies drifted and became competing with each other after the abrupt 2023 ousting and reinstatement of OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, with little notice to Nadella.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of abrupt

Adjective

The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Assemblywoman Darshana Patel, a San Diego Democrat, research scientist and local school board member, cogently expressed that hope during the Assembly’s brief floor debate.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Argentina, on the shorter side physically, have relied on occupying the middle of the box and targeting the near post from either side.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Despite the short appearance, Caglianone was crowned as a future superstar and someone to watch moving forward.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of short

Adjective

The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.

— Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.

— Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of summary

Adjective

Homer’s character, notorious as a schemer, here comes off as plain and direct—a gruff, practical tactician, rather than something more energetically inventive and morally dubious.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
The New Zealander drew international acclaim for roles as gruff loners and unhinged villains.

— Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

The dialogue, terse and contemporary, puts his distinguished cast of actors in their comfort zone and turns ancient, iridescently complex figures crystalline and hard-edged.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
In this terse, elegant story, a mother is confronted by a teacher about her son’s anger problems at school.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2026

Definition of terse

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cursory

curt

curtail

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“Curt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curt. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of curt

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