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View synonyms for blunt

blunt

[ bluhnt ]

adjective

, blunt·er, blunt·est.
  1. having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp:

    a blunt pencil.

  2. abruptly plain and direct in address or manner, without attempting to be tactful:

    a blunt, ill-timed question.

    Synonyms: impolite, uncivil, rude, rough, gruff, short

  3. slow in perception or understanding; obtuse:

    His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.

    Synonyms: dimwitted, stolid, thick



verb (used with object)

, blunt·ed, blunt·ing.
  1. to make blunt or dull:

    He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.

    Synonyms: hebetate, dull

  2. 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.
  1. to become blunt or dull.

noun

  1. something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.
  2. Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.

blunt

1

/ blʌnt /

adjective

  1. (esp of a knife or blade) lacking sharpness or keenness; dull
  2. not having a sharp edge or point

    a blunt instrument

  3. (of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated
  4. outspoken; direct and to the point

    a blunt Yorkshireman



verb

  1. to make less sharp
  2. to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull

noun

  1. slang.
    a cannabis cigarette

Blunt

2

/ blʌnt /

noun

  1. BluntAnthony19071983MBritishHISTORY: historianCRIME AND POLICING: spy Anthony . 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy
  2. BluntWilfred Scawen18401922MBritishWRITING: poetTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: travellerPOLITICS: anti-imperialist Wilfred Scawen . 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist

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Derived Forms

  • ˈbluntness, noun
  • ˈbluntly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • blunt·ly adverb
  • blunt·ness noun
  • un·blunt·ed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of blunt1

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; perhaps akin to blind

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Word History and Origins

Origin of blunt1

C12: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blundr dozing, blunda to close one's eyes; see blunder , blind

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Synonym Study

See dull. 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. See dull.

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Example Sentences

The pale, baby-faced, red-cheeked rapper is furiously puffing away at a hastily-made blunt crammed with low-grade weed.

This was very blunt and surprising to hear from any official in charge of an aviation disaster.

The real reason Mister Ham was taking bids was, to be perfectly blunt, because he needed the money.

No matter how admirable or inspiring his message appears to be, it often hits you over the head like a blunt instrument.

“It was like a curtain was beginning to be opened,” says Noor, who was surprised by the blunt request.

Presently his blunt ungainly head rose within ten feet of them.

She shook her head—Gilbert was not at home, and her axe was so blunt that a body might ride to Rumford on it.

Jess worked hard over the head, pushing the padding well into the blunt nose.

Then she picked up a magazine and glanced through it, cutting the pages with a blunt edge of her knife.

You can bet no trace will ever be found of that blunt instrument, and naturally he left no evidence coming or going.

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