Word forms: comparative blunter, superlative bluntest, 3rd person singular presenttense blunts, present participle blunting, past tense, past participle blunted
1. adjective
If you are blunt, you say exactly what you think without trying to be polite.
She is blunt about her personal life.
She told the industry in blunt terms that such discrimination is totally unacceptable.
Synonyms: frank, forthright, straightforward, explicit More Synonyms of blunt
bluntlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
'I don't believe you!' Jeanne said bluntly.
To put it bluntly, he became a pain.
bluntnessuncountable noun [oft poss NOUN]
His bluntness got him into trouble.
Synonyms: frankness, forthrightness, openness, candour More Synonyms of blunt
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A blunt object has a rounded or flat end rather than a sharp one.
One of them had been struck 13 times over the head with a blunt object.
3. adjective
A blunt knife or blade is no longer sharp and does not cut well.
4. verb
If something blunts an emotion, a feeling or a need, it weakens it.
The constant repetition of violence has blunted the human response to it. [VERB noun]
The passing of time will blunt the pain. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: dull, weaken, soften, numb More Synonyms of blunt
More Synonyms of blunt
blunt in British English
(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(transitive)
5.
to make less sharp
6.
to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull
noun
7. slang
a cannabis cigarette
Derived forms
bluntly (ˈbluntly)
adverb
bluntness (ˈbluntness)
noun
Word origin
C12: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blundr dozing, blunda to close one's eyes; see blunder, blind
Blunt in British English
(blʌnt)
noun
1.
Anthony. 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy
2.
Wilfred Scawen. 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist
blunt in American English
(blʌnt)
adjective
1.
slow to perceive, feel, or understand; dull
2.
having a dull edge or point; not sharp
3.
plain-spoken and abrupt
verb transitive
4.
to make (an edge or point) dull
5.
to make dull or insensitive
6.
to make less effective
verb intransitive
7.
to develop a dull edge or point
noun
8. US, Slang
a marijuana cigarette, specif. one made by putting marijuana into the wrapper of a hollowed-out cigar
SIMILAR WORDS: dull
SYNONYMY NOTE: blunt implies a candor and tactlessness that show little regard for another's feelings[“You're a fool,” was his blunt reply]; bluff2 suggests a coarse heartiness of manner and a good nature that causes the candor toseem inoffensive [a bluff old gardener]; brusque implies apparent rudeness, as evidenced by abruptness of speech or behavior [a brusque rejection]; curt suggests a terseness of expression that implies a lack of tact or courtesy [a curt dismissal]; gruff suggests bad temper and roughness of speech and manner, connoting, in addition, aharshness or throatiness in utterance [a gruff sergeant]
OPPOSITES: suave, tactful
Derived forms
bluntly (ˈbluntly)
adverb
bluntness (ˈbluntness)
noun
Word origin
ME < ?
Examples of 'blunt' in a sentence
blunt
Men on the other hand are blunt instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
There followed a blunt assessment at half-time.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Of course, the trouble with fiscal stimulus is that it is a blunt instrument.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a blunt assessment.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
ETFs are, to a certain extent, blunt instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With as many blunt objects as you like.
The Sun (2013)
Teams without an edge can only blunt opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Then it struck me with the force of a blunt instrument.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The exacting standards and the blunt warnings of the challenges appear not to deter the participants.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Experiment with both a sharp and blunt pencil to give a realistic finish.
The Sun (2012)
Rarely has his message been as blunt.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Ones containing liquorice or fennel can naturally blunt your appetite.
The Sun (2009)
She had been struck over the head with a blunt object.
The Sun (2016)
Our preoccupation with class and social etiquette had blunted our competitive edge.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was likely that the initial injury was the blunt trauma to the side of the neck after the rugby tackle.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Both were admirably blunt and direct.
The Sun (2006)
Some of her ideas are archaic and she is blunt to the point of rudeness, certainly.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In the outside world, leaders continually face blunt assessment.
Christianity Today (2000)
The blunt warning came as business leaders blasted the Coalition for failing to boost growth.
The Sun (2012)
He was a likeable chap, but as blunt and direct a character as you could wish to meet.
Jan Fennell FRIENDS FOR LIFE (2003)
It was a blunt pain.
The Sun (2014)
Modern hair colour is not just safe, it's also much less of a blunt instrument.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
blunt
British English: blunt /blʌnt/ ADJECTIVE
person If you are blunt, you say exactly what you think without trying to be polite.
His blunt answer surprised them.
American English: blunt
Arabic: خَشِن
Brazilian Portuguese: franco faca
Chinese: 钝的
Croatian: izravan
Czech: upřímný drze
Danish: ligefrem
Dutch: bot
European Spanish: directo
Finnish: tylsä terä yms.
French: émoussé
German: unverblümt
Greek: αμβλύς
Italian: diretto
Japanese: 鈍い
Korean: 무딘
Norwegian: brysk
Polish: stępiony
European Portuguese: franco
Romanian: direct
Russian: резкий
Latin American Spanish: romo
Swedish: slö
Thai: ทื่อ
Turkish: dobra bıçak/makas
Ukrainian: тупий
Vietnamese: thẳng thừng
British English: blunt VERB
If something blunts an emotion, a feeling or a need, it weakens it.
The constant repetition of violence has blunted the human response to it.
American English: blunt
Brazilian Portuguese: embotar
Chinese: 使减弱
European Spanish: atenuar
French: émousser
German: stumpf machen
Italian: smorzare
Japanese: 鈍らせる
Korean: 무디게 하다
European Portuguese: embotar
Latin American Spanish: atenuar
British English: blunt ADJECTIVE
knife A blunt knife or blade is no longer sharp and does not cut well.
The edge is as blunt as an old butter knife.
American English: blunt
Brazilian Portuguese: franco
Chinese: 钝的
European Spanish: desafilado
French: émoussé
German: stumpf
Italian: smussato
Japanese: 鈍い
Korean: 뭉툭한
European Portuguese: rombo
Latin American Spanish: desafilado
Chinese translation of 'blunt'
blunt
(blʌnt)
adj
(= not sharp)[pencil, knife]钝(鈍)的 (dùn de)
[person, remark]直率的 (zhíshuài de)
vt
[scissors, chisel etc]弄钝(鈍) (nòngdùn)
[appetite, emotion]使减(減)弱 (shǐ jiǎnruò)
blunt instrument (Law) 钝(鈍)器 (dùnqì)
to be blunt ... 坦率地说(說) ... (tǎnshuì de shuō ... )
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of people, manner of speaking, etc.) straightforward and uncomplicated
She is blunt about her personal life.
Synonyms
frank
They had a frank discussion about the issue.
forthright
She was known for her forthright manner.
straightforward
explicit
songs containing explicit references to sexual activity
rude
He's rude to her friends.
outspoken
He was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
bluff
a man with a bluff exterior
downright
a simple, downright chap with no rhetorical airs about him
upfront (informal)
trenchant
brusque
The doctors are brusque and busy.
plain-spoken
a plain-spoken man full of scorn for pomp and pretense
tactless
He had alienated many people with his tactless remarks.
impolite
It would be most impolite to refuse a simple invitation to supper.
discourteous
Staff are often discourteous and sometimes downright rude.
unpolished
uncivil
The shock of being addressed in such an uncivil tone was too much.
straight from the shoulder
Opposites
sensitive
,
diplomatic
,
subtle
,
courteous
,
tactful
2 (adjective)
Definition
not having a sharp edge or point
a blunt object
Synonyms
dull
using the dull edge of her knife
rounded
dulled
edgeless
unsharpened
Opposites
pointed
,
sharp
,
keen
(verb)
Our appetite was blunted by the snacks.
Synonyms
dull
They gave him morphine to dull the pain.
weaken
soften
numb
The cold numbed my fingers.
dampen
Nothing seemed to dampen his enthusiasm.
water down
deaden
He needs morphine to deaden the pain in his chest.