variants
also brusk
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
a brusque and unhelpful reply from the clerk in the hardware store
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of brusque
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
No brusque acceleration but assertions of near-zero inflation clearly ring false.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
The result was completely was enchanting, including the brusque Communist-era service.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brusque
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
No brusque acceleration but assertions of near-zero inflation clearly ring false.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
The result was completely was enchanting, including the brusque Communist-era service.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
Adjective
-
The level of disruption — particularly coming from the United States with the very abrupt closure of USAID, but combined with broader cuts [by] traditional European donors and the UK — does have a human impact.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Those were some of the last words that reverberated through Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Thursday night after the abrupt end of Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham’s town hall meeting.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And while she’s known for experimenting with her look — from waist-length neon wigs to sleek blunt bobs — Cardi has shown that her natural hair is full and long, stretching down her back.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Its descriptively blunt autobiographical accounts of palpable angst start off reserved—but never boring—and slowly blossom into an explosive finish.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, in the short track speedskating mixed team relay B final, Julie Letai suffered her own mishap, slipping and crashing into the padding.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes just a couple of hours with someone, or several short meetings, can really get someone moving in a different way.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To do so would be rude, politically perilous, insulting to our biggest trade partner and just plain weird.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The interactions would last 30 seconds, maybe, and no one was rude.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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