brusque

or brusk

[ bruhsk; especially British broosk ]

/ brʌsk; especially British brʊsk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR brusque ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

abrupt in manner; blunt; rough: A brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.

Nearby words

Origin of brusque

1595–1605; < Middle French < Italian brusco rough, tart, special use of brusco (noun) butcher's broom < Late Latin brūscum, for Latin rūscus, rūscum, perhaps conflated with Vulgar Latin *brūcus heather (see brier²)

SYNONYMS FOR brusque

unceremonious, short, curt.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR brusque ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsbrusque·ly, adverbbrusque·ness, noun

Synonym study

See blunt.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for brusque

He identifies as “brusque” like other New York City residents.
Andrew Cuomo Ignores Rural New York|David Fontana|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those who have interacted with him describe him as brusque, eccentric, clenched.
Meet the Beer Bottle Dictator|Tim Mak|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And McCauley was surely friendlier that his brusque air of command indicated.
The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis|Richard Ben Cramer|January 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She is frequently described in the press with such adjectives as “brusque,” “aggressive,” and “undiplomatic in the extreme.”
Susan Rice’s Personality 'Disorder'|Lloyd Grove|December 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Doctors, like the government itself, are brusque and hurried.
Mitt’s Bizarre Lyme Disease Offensive|Kent Sepkowitz|October 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But this brusque separation from his particular divinity was disconcerting.
The Grey Wig: Stories and Novelettes|Israel Zangwill
"Sit down, my friend," said Professor Bommeldoos, in his loud voice and brusque manner.
The Quest|Frederik van Eeden
It is to be remarked, however, that the Hetels themselves were against the brusque dismissal of Helene.
She Stands Accused|Victor MacClure
The brusque world too is to be met, with all its hurry and promptitude.
Dream Life|Donald G. Mitchell
"I don't believe he's the other thing," said a voice as brusque as the first was bland.
A Thief in the Night|E. W. Hornung

British Dictionary definitions for brusque

brusque

/ (bruːsk, brʊsk) /

adjective

blunt or curt in manner or speech

Derived Formsbrusquely, adverbbrusqueness or rare brusquerie (ˈbruːskərɪ), noun

Word Origin for brusque

C17: from French, from Italian brusco sour, rough, from Medieval Latin bruscus butcher's broom

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

Word Origin and History for brusque

brusque

adj.

1650s, from French brusque "lively, fierce," from Italian adjective brusco "sharp, tart, rough," perhaps from Vulgar Latin *bruscum "butcher's broom plant."