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bluffness

bluffness

7.0
Being direct and honest in a friendly, warm way
  • noun
  • /ˈblʌf.nəs/
translation icon : franqueza
  • His bluffness in discussing difficult topics made everyone feel at ease.

Examples

  • She appreciated his bluffness, which always brought honesty to their conversations.

  • The comedian's bluffness charmed the audience, making them laugh while addressing serious issues.

  • From the voice, we can tell that Nixon has resumed his customary bluffness, a sense of bravado in the face of defeat.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

sincerity
vsbluffness
71 3.1

A feeling of being honest and not pretending

is more warm and good-natured in direct talk
frankness
vsbluffness
7 3.5

Open and honest talk that says exactly what you think

is friendlier and more hearty when saying things
bluntness
vsbluffness
6 4.8

A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude

is more warm and gently direct rather than rude
directness
vsbluffness
6 3.4

Honest, clear words and actions that say exactly what you mean

is more warm and good-natured when honest
forthrightness
vsbluffness
3 6.6

A way of speaking that is honest and direct

is more warm and good-natured in delivery
straightforwardness
vsbluffness
1 5.0

Being direct and honest without hiding what you think

is more friendly and good-natured when direct
truth-telling
vsbluffness
1 4.1

Openly honest and saying facts people hide

is more warm and good-natured when delivering hard facts
candidness
vsbluffness
1 5.1

An honest and open way of speaking or acting

is warmer and more good-natured in tone
blunt honesty
vsbluffness
1 3.9

Saying the truth in a direct way that may hurt people

is more hearty and friendly rather than harsh in tone
plainspokenness
vsbluffness
6.5

Speaking directly and honestly without hiding the truth

is more hearty and friendly in its tone
downrightness
vsbluffness
6.7

An open and direct way of speaking or acting

is more warm and good-natured in approach
honestness
vsbluffness
4.8

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

is more hearty and good-natured when speaking truth
straight-shooting honesty
vsbluffness
  • Informal
5.5

To be direct and blunt when saying the truth

is friendlier and more good-natured despite blunt delivery
unvarnished honesty
vsbluffness
5.5

Very direct and truthful speech that does not soften the facts

is more warm and good-natured while equally plain

Antonyms

54 6.8

A small important detail that is hard to notice

How Frank

bluntness
6 4.8
candor
  • US
42 5.7
bluffness
7.0
politeness
26 1.3
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

bluffness singular
bluffnesses plural

Morphology

bluffness = bluff (transparent) = bluff + ness

The suffix '-ness' is used to form nouns indicating a state or quality from adjectives.

Etymology

Bluffness comes from the same idea as the word blunt, which means 'direct' or 'plain'. A helpful image is someone who speaks in a rough, open way and says what they think without fuss, and that's why bluffness means a frank, hearty directness.