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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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. 2022

How to use blunt in a sentence

Notably, patients with blood and lymph node cancers may experience a blunted response to vaccines, along with patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Are the coronavirus vaccines safe for someone with cancer, dementia or MS?|Judith Graham|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
While some marketers will stick to blunt tactics like blocking ads from news sites entirely, many are turning to more nuanced strategies that also ensure their dollars support quality journalism.
‘Media responsibility is now corporate social responsibility’: Marketers reassess brand safety controls to navigate a divided America|Seb Joseph|January 20, 2021|Digiday
Gabriel Sterling, a Republican election official in Georgia, was more blunt.
Democrats win control of U.S. Senate as Ossoff defeats Perdue|John Wagner, Brittany Shammas, Derek Hawkins, Cleve Wootson, Hannah Knowles|January 7, 2021|Washington Post
Drawing on her experience at both giant corporations like Google and scrappy startups, Cate Sevilla’s new book is a blunt, charismatic, and witty guide to surviving the workplace, no matter how big or small it might be.
10 of the best new books coming out in January 2021|Rachel King|January 1, 2021|Fortune

The blunt instrument of fiscal policy isn’t likely to keep everyone afloat for much longer.
Bankers were the villains of the last recession. They can be heroes in this one|matthewheimer|December 11, 2020|Fortune
The audience laughed at the bluntness, and at the expectation that an answer could be had so easily.
D.C.’s Conservative Guru Finds His Inner Hippie|Eleanor Clift|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Christie has “a lot of aspects that people really like, boldness, bluntness,” Vander Plaats said.
Huckabee 2016 Would Give Iowa to Christie|Ben Jacobs|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thus he plays his weak hand with a bluntness that often backfires.
Karzai’s Temper Tantrum|Bruce Riedel|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes her bluntness felt painful, but her lack of hypocrisy was inspiring.
Mother’s Day 2013: Gloria Steinem, Erica Jong & Writers Thank Their Moms|Gloria Steinem, Erica Jong, Fay Weldon, Dalma Heyn, Joyce Maynard|May 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“They will die,” Fugate responded with characteristic bluntness.
Can FEMA Director Craig Fugate Save Us—and Obama—From Sandy?|Eli Lake|October 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
That unsparing country bluntness—don't you think it's perfectly delightful?
A Traveler from Altruria: Romance|William Dean Howells
She would do what she could to curb her father's uncompromising bluntness of speech, and would keep him off dangerous topics.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins
"I'd like to take up that loan and save the rest of the year's interest, Deacon Rowley," stated Mayo, with sailorly bluntness.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
Sedgett took his bluntness as a matter to be endured for the honour of hob-a-nobbing with a gentleman.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith
Dr. Johnson has recorded the long list of his infirmities with an almost chilling bluntness; but, alas!
Obiter Dicta|Augustine Birrell

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)