brusque
Americanadjective
adjective
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tudor's brusque, plain speaking style got no more out of the Spurs squad than Frank's more empathetic approach.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
Her partner, Joo Won Ahn, made less impact with his somewhat brusque approach.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
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 • Dec. 13, 2024
Furious customers have even turned to Yelp, typically where you go to gripe about a soggy taco or brusque waiter, to lash out at the airline, which currently sits at 1.4 stars out of 5.
From Slate • Oct. 15, 2024
Ser Jacelyn met him at the gate, and raised his iron hand in brusque salute.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
