If you describe a person or their behaviour as brusque, you mean that they deal with things, or say things, quickly and shortly, so that they seem to be rude.
The doctors are brusque and busy.
They received a characteristically brusque reply from him.
Synonyms: curt, short, sharp, blunt More Synonyms of brusque
brusquelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
'It's only a sprain,' Paula said brusquely.
brusque in British English
(bruːsk, brʊsk)
adjective
blunt or curt in manner or speech
Derived forms
brusquely (ˈbrusquely)
adverb
brusqueness (ˈbrusqueness) or rare brusquerie (ˈbruːskərɪ)
noun
Word origin
C17: from French, from Italian brusco sour, rough, from Medieval Latin bruscus butcher's broom
brusque in American English
(brʌsk; Chiefly British brusk; brʊsk)
adjective
rough and abrupt in manner or speech; curt
: also brusk
SIMILAR WORDS: blunt
Derived forms
brusquely (ˈbrusquely)
adverb
brusqueness (ˈbrusqueness)
noun
Word origin
Fr < It brusco < ML bruscus, brushwood; prob. akin to brush1, but infl. by It rusco < L ruscum, butcher's-broom
Examples of 'brusque' in a sentence
brusque
And some of his problems were brought on by his brusque manner.
Christianity Today (2000)
But they are also slow to smile and rather brusque.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His manner is brusque but polite.
The Sun (2008)
His brusque manner drew heat.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She was brusque in manner but, as many of her staff would testify, extremely kind and helpful in case of need.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
brusque
British English: brusque ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or their behaviour as brusque, you mean that they deal with or say things quickly and shortly, so that they seem to be rude.
The doctors are brusque and busy.
American English: brusque
Brazilian Portuguese: ríspido
Chinese: 简短生硬的
European Spanish: brusco
French: brusque
German: brüsk
Italian: brusco
Japanese: ぞんざいな
Korean: 퉁명스러운
European Portuguese: ríspido
Latin American Spanish: brusco
(adjective)
Definition
blunt or curt in manner or speech
The doctors are brusque and busy.
Synonyms
curt
`The matter is closed,' was his curt reply.
short
She was definitely short with me.
sharp
blunt
She is blunt about her personal life.
tart
The words were more tart than she had intended.
abrupt
He was abrupt to the point of rudeness.
hasty
terse
His tone was terse as he asked the question.
surly
He behaves in a surly and rude manner towards me.
gruff
His gruff exterior concealed a kind heart.
impolite
It would be most impolite to refuse a simple invitation to supper.
monosyllabic
discourteous
Staff are often discourteous and sometimes downright rude.
unmannerly
Opposites
patient
,
civil
,
gentle
,
accommodating
,
polite
,
courteous
,
well-mannered
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abrupt
Definition
rather rude in speech or manner
He was abrupt to the point of rudeness.
Synonyms
curt,
direct,
brief,
sharp,
rough,
short,
clipped,
blunt,
rude,
tart,
impatient,
brisk,
concise,
snappy,
terse,
gruff,
succinct,
pithy,
brusque,
offhand,
impolite,
monosyllabic,
ungracious,
discourteous,
uncivil,
unceremonious,
snappish
in the sense of blunt
Definition
(of people, manner of speaking, etc.) straightforward and uncomplicated
She is blunt about her personal life.
Synonyms
frank,
forthright,
straightforward,
explicit,
rude,
outspoken,
bluff,
downright,
upfront (informal),
trenchant,
brusque,
plain-spoken,
tactless,
impolite,
discourteous,
unpolished,
uncivil,
straight from the shoulder
in the sense of discourteous
Definition
showing bad manners
Staff are often discourteous and sometimes downright rude.