1
as in abrupt
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
a blunt knife won't open that package
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blunt
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Although the autopsy had not revealed a cause of death as of the April 7 complaint, officials believe Rivera died from blunt force trauma to the head, the document said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
To blunt the potential for change fatigue, a sensitive manager will recognize this and work to make each person on the team comfortable with whatever shifts the company needs to implement.
—Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Adjective
According to court documents and previous Courant reporting, an autopsy showed Holloway died of blunt force trauma to the head and torso and was beaten with something that left numerous round, one-inch diameter marks on her body.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Although the autopsy had not revealed a cause of death as of the April 7 complaint, officials believe Rivera died from blunt force trauma to the head, the document said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
China and Fentanyl Trump said in his executive order raising Chinese tariffs to 20 percent that the Chinese government failed to blunt the flow of fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
To blunt the potential for change fatigue, a sensitive manager will recognize this and work to make each person on the team comfortable with whatever shifts the company needs to implement.
—Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunt
Adjective
-
With his initial burst, Sanders can maneuver through gaps with abrupt hands/feet or change the line of scrimmage by quickly getting into a blocker’s chest.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The abrupt cancellation Wednesday of a London trip that Mr. Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had planned – to meet officials from Ukraine and its European allies – was the latest sign that ending the conflict is proving far more complex.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The clarity might improve, but the spark—the particular cadence of someone’s thinking, the messy brilliance of their raw insight—can get dulled in translation.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The intentionally half-baked approach to Season 2 foreshadows an overstuffed and potentially controversial third season, the emotional effect of which will be dulled by the likely long hiatus (Season 1 premiered in January 2023).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Brunson, who was hosting for a second time, began to sing about being short.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 May 2025
-
This photo provided by Guinness World Records shows Pearl, the world's shortest living dog, with Reginald, the world's tallest living dog, both certified by Guinness World Records, during a playdate in Idaho Falls, Idaho, April 5, 2025.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Answer: Your withdrawals from retirement plans won’t reduce your Social Security directly.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
-
The trial of estrogen alone also raised safety concerns, though both types of therapy reduced the risk of bone fractures.—
Jean Wactawski-Wende,
The Conversation,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
-
There’s a gruff lyricism to the performance that’s entrancing even when Elmer is standing up in a coffin.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of compartmentalizing, try to identify and sit with discomfort rather than numbing it.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
After a series of trials with ether, Morton conducted a public demonstration, which successfully numbed the patient’s pain and marked a major breakthrough in medical practice.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Text generators tend to write long, even when the prompt is curt.—
Victoria Turk,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
-
If something bothers you, have the conversation before your body language starts speaking for you through a curt tone, closed posture or disengagement.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond her pioneering achievements behind the wheel, Levitt was also an inventor, a royal driving instructor, a suffragette and an outspoken writer.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The actor has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and particularly transgender women.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunt. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share