brusque

American  

[bruhsk, broosk] / brʌsk, brʊsk /

Or brusk

adjective

1. abrupt in manner; blunt; rough.

   A brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.

   Synonyms:

   curt, short, unceremonious

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brusque British  

/ bruːsk, brʊsk, ˈbruːskərɪ /

adjective

1. blunt or curt in manner or speech

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Related Words

See blunt.

Other Word Forms

• brusquely adverb
• brusqueness noun

Etymology

Origin of brusque

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French, from Italian brusco “rough, tart,” special use of brusco (noun) “butcher's broom,” from Late Latin brūscum, for Latin rūscus, rūscum, perhaps conflated with unattested Vulgar Latin brūcus “heather” ( brier ² )

Example Sentences

Dan leads the Seder in such a brusque way that his wife reflects, “on this night my husband is a control freak. That’s how he celebrates freedom from slavery.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Every rendezvous he manages is different: A brusque businessman wants to see his mother, ostensibly because an important document is missing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Organizers forbade several of their key moves as their brusque victories weren’t telegenic.

From Los Angeles Times

Art from ancient Thrace is often flashy and brusque, as befits a warrior tribe.

From Los Angeles Times

Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who ran against her for mayor as an old-school progressive, said she could be uncompromising and brusque in policy deliberations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blunt
• gruff
• terse