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English Dictionary

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 blunt blunt /ˈblʌnt/

adjective

  1. () Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion  ( free-spoken , outspoken , plainspoken , blunt , candid , forthright , frank , point-blank , straight-from-the-shoulder )
    characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
     Blunt talking and straight shooting
    blunt talking and straight shooting
     A blunt New England farmer
    a blunt New England farmer
     I gave them my candid opinion
    I gave them my candid opinion
     Forthright criticism
    forthright criticism
     A forthright approach to the problem
    a forthright approach to the problem
     Tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
    tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
     It is possible to be outspoken without being rude
    it is possible to be outspoken without being rude
     Plainspoken and to the point
    plainspoken and to the point
     A point-blank accusation
    a point-blank accusation
  2. () Used of a knife or other blade; not sharp  ( blunt )
    used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
     A blunt instrument
    a blunt instrument
  3. () Having a broad or rounded end  ( blunt )
    having a broad or rounded end
     Thick marks made by a blunt pencil
    thick marks made by a blunt pencil
  4. Devoid of any qualifications, disguise or adornment  ( blunt , crude , stark )
    devoid of any qualifications, disguise or adornment
     The blunt truth
    the blunt truth
     The crude facts
    the crude facts
     Facing the stark reality of the deadline
    facing the stark reality of the deadline

verb

  1. () Make less intense  ( blunt )
    make less intense
     Blunted emotions
    blunted emotions
  2. Make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation  ( blunt , deaden )
    make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation
     Terror blunted her feelings
    Terror blunted her feelings
     Deaden a sound
    deaden a sound
  3. Make less sharp  ( blunt )
    make less sharp
     Blunt the knives
    blunt the knives
  4. Make dull or blunt  ( blunt , dull )
    make dull or blunt
     Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge
    Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge
  5. Make numb or insensitive  ( benumb , blunt , dull , numb )
    make numb or insensitive
     The shock numbed her senses
    The shock numbed her senses