Blunt — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb noun /ˈblənt/

Meaning & Definition of Blunt

Blunt (adjective)

  1. having an edge or point that is not sharp
  2. abrupt in speech or manner
  3. being straight to the point, direct

Blunt (verb)

  1. to make less sharp, definite, or forceful
  2. to become blunt

Blunt (noun)

  1. a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana

Blunt (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner

    "he values honesty and is quite blunt about telling people what he doesn't like about them"

    similar: abrupt, bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy, unceremonious
    related: gruff, rough, snappish, candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, open, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, point-blank, straightforward, straight-out, artless, discourteous, disrespectful, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, insensitive, rude, tactless, undiplomatic, brief, closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, terse, tight-lipped, earnest, honest, sincere, coarse, crass, crude, low, uncouth, vulgar
    opposite: circuitous, mealymouthed
    near: civil, considerate, courteous, diplomatic, gracious, polite, politic, smooth, suave, tactful, loquacious, talkative, voluble, long-winded, prolix, verbose, courtly, cultivated, gallant, genteel, polished, refined

  2. lacking sharpness of edge or point

    "a blunt knife won't open that package"

    similar: blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse
    related: dullish, rounded, smooth, even, flat, flattened, level
    opposite: cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, pointed, sharp, sharpened, whetted
    near: jagged, needlelike, prickly, spiked, spikelike, spiky, spiny, jabbing, lacerating, piercing, scratching, stabbing, ultrasharp

Blunt (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling

    "the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene"

    similar: benumb, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, dull, numb
    related: muffle, mute, tone (down), decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), lower, reduce, subdue, debilitate, enfeeble, weaken, dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten, abate, moderate
    opposite: sharpen, whet
    near: amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen, animate, arouse, stimulate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Blunt

The most common words with a similar meaning to Blunt:

abrupt, bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy, unceremonious, blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse, benumb, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, numb

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Blunt

Words with the opposite meaning of Blunt:

circuitous, mealymouthed, cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, pointed, sharp, sharpened, whetted, sharpen, whet

Related Words for Blunt

gruff, rough, snappish, candid, direct, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, open, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, point-blank, straightforward, straight-out, artless, discourteous, disrespectful, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, insensitive, rude, tactless, undiplomatic, brief, closemouthed, laconic, reserved

Near Antonyms of Blunt

civil, considerate, courteous, diplomatic, gracious, polite, politic, smooth, suave, tactful, loquacious, talkative, voluble, long-winded, prolix, verbose, courtly, cultivated, gallant, genteel, polished, refined, jagged, needlelike, prickly, spiked, spikelike, spiky, spiny, jabbing

Word Forms of Blunt

Inflections: blunted, blunting, blunts

Derived words: bluntly (adverb), bluntness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Blunt

Middle English blont, of uncertain origin

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Blunt

blunt trauma, blunt instrument

Frequently Asked Questions about Blunt

What does "Blunt" mean?

"Blunt" means having an edge or point that is not sharp. As an an adjective, a verb and a noun, it is defined as: having an edge or point that is not sharp. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Blunt"?

Other words for "Blunt" include abrupt, bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, downright, short and short-spoken. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Blunt" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Blunt"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Blunt". Common alternatives include abrupt, bluff, brusque, crusty, curt, downright, short, short-spoken, snippy and unceremonious.

What is the opposite of "Blunt"?

Antonyms of "Blunt" include circuitous, mealymouthed, cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed and keen. Near antonyms include civil, considerate, courteous and diplomatic.

How do you use "Blunt" in a sentence?

Examples of "Blunt" in a sentence: "he values honesty and is quite blunt about telling people what he doesn't like about them"; "a blunt knife won't open that package"; "the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene".

Is "Blunt" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Blunt" can be used as an adjective, a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Blunt"?

"Blunt" is pronounced /ˈblənt/.

What is the origin of the word "Blunt"?

"Blunt" comes from Middle English blont, of uncertain origin. First known use: 13th century.