blunt

[ bluhnt ]

/ blʌnt /

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See synonyms for: blunt / blunted / blunter / bluntly on Thesaurus.com

adjective, blunt·er, blunt·est.

having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp: a blunt pencil.

abruptly plain and direct in address or manner, without attempting to be tactful: a blunt, ill-timed question.

slow in perception or understanding; obtuse: His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.

verb (used with object), blunt·ed, blunt·ing.

to make blunt or dull: He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.

to weaken or impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility of: Wine first excites, then blunts the imagination.

verb (used without object), blunt·ed, blunt·ing.

to become blunt or dull.

noun

something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.

Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.

OTHER WORDS FOR blunt

2 short, gruff, rough, rude, uncivil, impolite.

3 dimwitted, thick, stolid.

4 dull, hebetate.

See synonyms for blunt on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of blunt

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; perhaps akin to blind

synonym study for blunt

1. See dull. 2. Blunt, bluff, brusque, curt characterize manners and speech. Blunt suggests lack of polish and of regard for the feelings of others: blunt and tactless. Bluff implies an unintentional roughness together with so much good-natured heartiness that others rarely take offense: a bluff sea captain. Brusque connotes sharpness and abruptness of speech or manner: a brusque denial. Curt applies especially to disconcertingly concise language: a curt reply. 3. See dull.

OTHER WORDS FROM blunt

blunt·ly, adverbblunt·ness, nounun·blunt·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use blunt in a sentence

After all, the fact that the possibility even exists for humanitarian intervention is principally due to the blunt fact of American military power.
George Shultz Showed U.S. Foreign Policy Is Strongest When We Combine Realism and Human Rights|Robert D. Kaplan|February 9, 2021|Time
Bus passengers in Oklahoma City were first required to wear a mask in July to blunt the spread of the coronavirus.
As transit agencies ramp up mask enforcement, Congress airs concerns about safety of transportation workers|Michael Laris|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
The problem I have with antitrust is it’s an awfully blunt instrument.
Eric Schmidt Thinks This Is The Best Age To Start Measuring Excellence|Eben Shapiro|November 29, 2020|Time
We had returned depleted and discouraged, barely blunting their incessant push towards the humans.
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks|Max Brooks|January 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST

But the report was attacked by Republicans, including now-Speaker John Boehner, blunting its impact.
The Missed Warning Signs|Aaron Mehta|January 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The smoke of torches has also done its work in reducing the brilliant tones and blunting the delicate contours.
A history of art in ancient Egypt, Vol. I (of 2)|Georges Perrot
The need of cooling his partisan was the most effective means of blunting the sharp edge of his own vexation.
Hopes and Fears|Charlotte M. Yonge
Then gradually but decisively it was borne in upon his mind that his absorption was blunting his common sense.
The Gambler|Katherine Cecil Thurston
There is nothing like a dread of being bored for blunting your psychological instinct.'
Robert Elsmere|Mrs. Humphry Ward
These preachers were blunting their teeth on the shell, while I enjoyed the kernel.
Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2)|Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

British Dictionary definitions for blunt (1 of 2)

blunt

/ (blʌnt) /

adjective

(esp of a knife or blade) lacking sharpness or keenness; dull

not having a sharp edge or pointa blunt instrument

(of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated

outspoken; direct and to the pointa blunt Yorkshireman

verb (tr)

to make less sharp

to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull

noun

slang a cannabis cigarette

Derived forms of blunt

bluntly, adverbbluntness, noun

Word Origin for blunt

C12: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blundr dozing, blunda to close one's eyes; see blunder, blind

British Dictionary definitions for blunt (2 of 2)

Blunt

/ (blʌnt) /

noun

Anthony . 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy

Wilfred Scawen . 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

blunt

OTHER WORDS FOR blunt

Origin of blunt

synonym study for blunt

OTHER WORDS FROM blunt

Words related to blunt

How to use blunt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blunt (1 of 2)

Derived forms of blunt

Word Origin for blunt

British Dictionary definitions for blunt (2 of 2)