blunt
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.
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.
to become blunt or dull.
something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.
Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.
Origin of blunt
1synonym study For blunt
Other words for blunt
Other words from blunt
- blunt·ly, adverb
- blunt·ness, noun
- un·blunt·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostWhile 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.
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 PostDrawing 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.
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.
Christie has “a lot of aspects that people really like, boldness, bluntness,” Vander Plaats said.
Thus he plays his weak hand with a bluntness that often backfires.
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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThat unsparing country bluntness—don't you think it's perfectly delightful?
A Traveler from Altruria: Romance | William Dean HowellsShe 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 DaySedgett took his bluntness as a matter to be endured for the honour of hob-a-nobbing with a gentleman.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete | George MeredithDr. 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)
/ (blʌnt) /
(esp of a knife or blade) lacking sharpness or keenness; dull
not having a sharp edge or point: a blunt instrument
(of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated
outspoken; direct and to the point: a blunt Yorkshireman
to make less sharp
to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull
slang a cannabis cigarette
Origin of blunt
1Derived forms of blunt
- bluntly, adverb
- bluntness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Blunt (2 of 2)
/ (blʌnt) /
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
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