blunt
- having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp: a blunt pencil.
- abrupt in address or manner: a blunt, ill-timed question.
- slow in perception or understanding; obtuse: His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.
- 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.
- to become blunt or dull.
- something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.
- Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.
Origin of blunt
Synonyms for blunt
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Related Words for bluntness
disrespect, confidence, candor, veracity, virtue, probity, frankness, loyalty, honor, self-respect, responsibility, sincerity, fairness, faithfulness, integrity, rectitude, morality, trustworthiness, nerve, misbehaviorExamples from the Web for bluntness
Contemporary Examples of bluntness
The audience laughed at the bluntness, and at the expectation that an answer could be had so easily.
Christie has “a lot of aspects that people really like, boldness, bluntness,” Vander Plaats said.
Thus he plays his weak hand with a bluntness that often backfires.
Sometimes her bluntness felt painful, but her lack of hypocrisy was inspiring.
Mother’s Day 2013: Gloria Steinem, Erica Jong & Writers Thank Their MomsGloria Steinem, Erica Jong, Fay Weldon, Dalma Heyn, Joyce Maynard
May 12, 2013
The U.S. envoy is direct for a diplomat, but she showed during the Libyan crisis that bluntness can be effective.
U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s Blunt Style Unusual, But Effective on LibyaEleanor Clift
January 19, 2012
Historical Examples of bluntness
The bluntness of Lizzie's speech disconcerted him, and yet the simplicity of it reassured him.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
The bluntness of this assertion rather staggered the prince.
The Lure of the MaskHarold MacGrath
"Madame, I have none," he answered with a bluntness not ill calculated.
Simon DaleAnthony Hope
There are times for tact and times for bluntness, and this was a time, Brent decided, for the latter.
Ten From InfinityPaul W. Fairman
If the man felt any perturbation at the bluntness of the question he did not show it.
The Book of All-PowerEdgar Wallace
blunt
- (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
- to make less sharp
- to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull
- slang a cannabis cigarette
Word Origin for blunt
Blunt
- Anthony . 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy
- Wilfred Scawen . 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist
Word Origin and History for bluntness
blunt
c.1200, "dull, obtuse," perhaps from or related to Old Norse blundra (see blunder (v.)). Of tools or weapons, late 14c. Meaning "abrupt of speech or manner" is from 1580s.
blunt
late 14c., from blunt (adj.). Related: Blunted; blunting.
blunt
street slang for "marijuana and tobacco cigar" (easier to pass around, easier to disguise, and the stimulant in the tobacco enhances the high from the pot) surfaced c.1993, but is said to have originated among Jamaicans in New York City in the early 1980s; from Phillies Blunt brand cigars; see blunt (adj.), which has been used of certain cigars since 19c.
Users say that the Phillies Blunt brand produces less harsh-tasting or sweeter smoke. The leaf wrapper of a Phillies Blunt is strong enough to hold together through the manipulations of making a blunt. Other brands fall apart. [http://nepenthes.lycaeum.org/Drugs/THC/Smoke/blunts.html]