1
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
he values honesty and is quite blunt about telling people what he doesn't like about them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
a blunt knife won't open that package
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 blunt
Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 May 2025
Her brand features blunt honesty and humor, as well as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2025
At the same time, manufacturers are investing in novel distribution models to blunt the impact of restrictive formularies.
—Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Adjective
The Baywatch alum debuted the transformation on Thursday, May 1, at the Tory Burch Foundation Honors Martha Stewart at 2025 Founders Breakfast in N.Y.C., surprising fans with a chin-grazing blunt bob instead of her usual cascading locks.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 May 2025
Her brand features blunt honesty and humor, as well as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
Health Care The Big Story Conservative group pushes ACA tax credits
As lawmakers in the House struggle over potential deep cuts to Medicaid, a conservative group is pitching an extension of ObamaCare subsidies to blunt the coverage impact on the public and the political blowback to lawmakers.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2025
At the same time, manufacturers are investing in novel distribution models to blunt the impact of restrictive formularies.
—Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
-
Too many of them have abrupt, sloppy endings that suggest the rotund director wanted to wrap before his three-steak dinner got cold.—
Neal Justin,
Boston Herald,
13 June 2025
-
The outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914, just a few months after her family’s arrival in Russia, had already brought Paley’s peaceful childhood to an abrupt end.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The bright colors of spent flowers will dull or turn brown, indicating the bloom is past its prime and ready to remove.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
Even so, that dimmer wattage does little to dull a film that plays like cine-karaoke — and as any mic fiend can attest, the glory in those moments belongs not to the singer, but the song.—
Ben Croll,
IndieWire,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
That memory is a very short but powerful memory to me.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
-
Pool offers a short menu of beef burgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs and fries.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Trainers disinfect open wounds and put numbing cream around horns to minimize pain.—
Chang W. Lee,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
Even though waxing is tolerable, having a numbing cream applied over the hair and skin about 20 minutes before the wax is applied is supposed to help manage the discomfort of having the wax yanked off.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
There was drama between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, leading to curt radio messages by Hamilton accusing Ferrari of poor teamwork when he got stuck behind his teammate while on faster tires.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 May 2025
-
In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Known for his outspoken floor speeches and frequent criticism of bipartisan bills, May had also built a reputation as a disruptive political consultant, backing challengers against sitting GOP incumbents.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Former foundation board members Susan Burns and Larry Geimer were especially outspoken, repeatedly introducing the topic at public board meetings.—
Alice Herman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share