SHORTSPOKEN Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

short-spoken

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˌspō-kən

Definition of short-spoken

as in blunt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner don't expect much information or friendly chitchat from the short-spoken villagers

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-spoken

Adjective

But their blunt ends, which did not release upon impact, were even more deadly.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Cecchetto died two days later from blunt force facial trauma.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Definition of blunt

Adjective

The short summer nights (and this week’s first quarter moon) may make faint aurora harder to see, with lingering twilight reducing the contrast required to spot a glow low on the northern horizon.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Despite falling just short in the final, Argentina come in third at 11 percent, highlighting how highly they are still regarded heading into the next four-year cycle.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of short

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

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

Mahmoud Nabavian, an outspoken radical lawmaker, asked on X days before Khamenei’s funeral.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The remarks drew criticism from Fine, who has emerged as one of Vance’s most outspoken Republican critics on Israel.

— Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Definition of outspoken

Adjective

After three minutes of routine and relatively curt responses, Redick was asked about the difficulty of closing a team out in a playoff series.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 1 May 2026
There are at least three potential James Bonds among these actors, and each displays his own brand of curt, strapping charm.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of curt

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“Short-spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-spoken. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-spoken

adjective

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