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bluntness

bluntness

6 4.8
A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude
  • noun
  • /ˈblʌntnəs/
translation icon : franqueza
  • Oh, forgive my bluntness, but you know nothing of my world.

It's, it's, it's evident in this in by the bluntness with which he says he agrees with the government's position on the case.

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Examples

  • I was startled by the bluntness of his question but probably shouldn't have been.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Please, forgive my bluntness.

  • "No," she said, and her bluntness surprised me.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The great surprise of his writing here is its bluntness.

    Academic text (1996)
  • I apologize for my bluntness; however, I must say a word about your post.

    Blog text (21)
  • "Are you thinking of Aaron?" she said with total bluntness.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • You must pardon my bluntness, dear reader.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • His remarks, which are reproduced below, were remarkable for their bluntness.

    Academic text (2007)
  • McClintock: If you'll excuse my bluntness, sir, you can't go halfway on this one.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • His bluntness often surprises people, but he values honesty above all else.

Synonyms

frankness
vsbluntness
7 3.5

Open and honest talk that says exactly what you think

is stronger and more likely to seem insulting
harshness
vsbluntness
6 4.1

Very severe or unkind treatment that causes harm

is more focused on plain truth than causing distress
directness
vsbluntness
6 3.4

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

is more likely to be uncompromising or offend
sharp tongue
vsbluntness
4 6.1

A habit of speaking in a harsh, critical way

is more about plain truth than attacking people with words
forthrightness
vsbluntness
3 6.6

A way of speaking that is honest and direct

is more uncompromising and can lack social tact
outspokenness
vsbluntness
2 6.3

Saying your thoughts and feelings freely, often in a direct way

is more likely to do this in an uncompromising way
coarseness
vsbluntness
2 6.4

Rudeness or crude behavior that shows little politeness

is more about plain truth than being vulgar or crude
candidness
vsbluntness
1 5.1

An honest and open way of speaking or acting

is more likely to be firm and occasionally rude
brusqueness
vsbluntness
1 7.9

A short, direct way of speaking that often seems rude

is similar but more about firm truth than sudden abruptness
sharpness
vsbluntness
1 4.6

A harsh, sudden way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

is more about stating truth plainly than using biting tone
sternness
vsbluntness
1 5.1

A strict, serious attitude that does not allow bad behavior

is more about plain speech than strict authority or severity
gruffness
vsbluntness
1 6.6

A rough, unfriendly way of speaking or acting

is more about the content of speech than voice quality
crudeness
vsbluntness
  • NSFW
1 6.3

Rude, vulgar, or insensitive behaviour that upsets people

is more focused on truth than on vulgarity or shock
blunt honesty
vsbluntness
1 3.9

Saying the truth in a direct way that may hurt people

is more uncompromising and can sound impolite
curtness
vsbluntness
1 7.0

A short, rude way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

is usually more about telling truth than giving brief replies
shortness
vsbluntness
1 6.5

A quick, unfriendly way of speaking to someone

is more about uncompromising truth than mere curt behaviour
abrasiveness
vsbluntness
1 7.0

A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people

is more specifically about telling truth without softening
roughness
vsbluntness
1 3.9

A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe

is more about clear truth than general coarseness
ungentleness
vsbluntness
1 8.2

A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting

is more about uncompromising truth than absence of gentleness
unvarnished honesty
vsbluntness
5.5

Very direct and truthful speech that does not soften the facts

is more uncompromising and may seem rude
straight-shooting honesty
vsbluntness
  • Informal
5.5

To be direct and blunt when saying the truth

is often firmer and can seem impolite
downrightness
vsbluntness
6.7

An open and direct way of speaking or acting

is often more severe and may offend more easily
bluffness
vsbluntness
7.0

Being direct and honest in a friendly, warm way

is less friendly and can feel hurtful or offensive
pungence
vsbluntness
  • Archaic
9.5

A sharp, biting way of speaking or writing that strongly affects people

is more about plain truth than intentionally caustic language
pungency
vsbluntness
8.0

Speech or writing that is sharp and often hurts people

is more straightforward and less intentionally stinging
acridity
vsbluntness
9.4

A harsh tone in speech or writing that hurts people

is more about truthful delivery than bitter or cutting tone
acridness
vsbluntness
8.4

A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people

is more about plain truth than creating disagreeable feeling
tartness
vsbluntness
5.6

A sharp, cutting way of speaking that sounds rude

is more about unsoftened truth rather than merely biting tone
thorniness
vsbluntness
8.9

A harsh, unfriendly manner that hurts or upsets people

is more specifically about straightforward speech than general bitterness

Antonyms

diplomacy
  • Formal
201 3.7

Skill in carefully managing talks and relations between people or countries

1 6.1

Not saying something clearly to avoid offending someone or to hide the real meaning

Careful and kind behavior when dealing with people to avoid hurting them

How Direct

rudeness
27 1.8
bluntness
6 4.8
directness
6 3.4
frankness
7 3.5
tact
26 3.5
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

bluntness singular
bluntnesses plural

Morphology

bluntness = blunt (transparent) = blunt + ness

A standard nominalization of the adjective 'blunt' meaning 'direct, frank'; the meaning is directly derived from the adjective.

Etymology

Bluntness can also mean being very direct or plain in speech. A helpful way to remember this is to think of blunt as the opposite of 'sharp' — a blunt remark has no 'point' and so can feel plain or even rude.