bluntly

[bluhnt-lee]

adverb

1. starkly and directly, with no attempt to be tactful or diplomatic.

   I always had a tendency to act in ways that are politically unwise—to bluntly say what I consider the truth.

   To put it bluntly, that is a very poor piece of policy-making.

2. in a way that involves no subtlety or discernment.

   It was one of those things that's so bluntly obvious, none of them really had to say anything about it.

   The three-strikes law has been applied too broadly, too bluntly, with some people serving life sentences for relatively minor crimes.

3. without any sharp points or edges.

   It has downy leaves and stems and small white flowers blooming in June, followed by bluntly triangular seedpods.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluntly¹

blunt ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

He reiterated that retirement now was the “right call” because, as he bluntly put it, “you don’t ever wanna pitch bad.”

From Los Angeles Times

Perliger studies political violence and assassinations and spoke bluntly about political polarization in the United States.

From Salon

Setting aside partisanship — if that’s still possible — and speaking bluntly, there’s something to be said for ensuring Harris doesn’t die a violent death at the hands of some crazed assailant.

From Los Angeles Times

Put bluntly by Jackson, intending this as a compliment: “I think DJ’s brain is a football. Literally, you open his head there’s probably a football in there.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Contrary to your supporters' beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner and frankly, we find that a little disturbing," Barton said, bluntly telling him he now had "two options" for his future.

From BBC

Related Words

• crudely 
• harshly www.thesaurus.com