English adjective: blunt | |||
1. | blunt having a broad or rounded end | ||
Samples | Thick marks made by a blunt pencil. | ||
Similar | pointless, unpointed | ||
Antonyms | pointed | ||
2. | blunt used of a knife or other blade; not sharp | ||
Samples | A blunt instrument. | ||
Similar | dull | ||
Antonyms | sharp | ||
3. | blunt characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion | ||
Samples | Blunt talking and straight shooting. A blunt New England farmer. I gave them my candid opinion. Forthright criticism. A forthright approach to the problem. Tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank. It is possible to be outspoken without being rude. Plainspoken and to the point. A point-blank accusation. | ||
Synonyms | candid, forthright, frank, free-spoken, outspoken, plainspoken, point-blank, straight-from-the-shoulder | ||
Similar | direct | ||
Antonyms | indirect | ||
4. | blunt devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment | ||
Samples | The blunt truth. The crude facts. Facing the stark reality of the deadline. | ||
Synonyms | crude, stark | ||
Similar | unconditional, unconditioned | ||
Antonyms | conditional | ||
English verb: blunt | |||
1. | blunt (change) make less intense | ||
Samples | Blunted emotions. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | weaken | ||
2. | blunt (perception) make numb or insensitive | ||
Samples | The shock numbed her senses. | ||
Synonyms | benumb, dull, numb | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | desensitise, desensitize | ||
3. | blunt (contact) make dull or blunt | ||
Samples | Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge. | ||
Synonyms | dull | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
Antonyms | sharpen | ||
4. | blunt (change) make less sharp | ||
Samples | Blunt the knives. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
5. | blunt (change) make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation | ||
Samples | Terror blunted her feelings. Deaden a sound. | ||
Synonyms | deaden | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | break, damp, dampen, obtund, petrify, soften, weaken | ||
Antonyms | liven, liven up, enliven, animate, invigorate | ||