to blunt

Examples

• All

• I hoped now that it would be strong enough to blunt the smell of smoke.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The government used surging budgetary resources to start building a social welfare net that blunted domestic dissent.

  Academic text (2013)

• Finally, the U.S. government could blunt the economic consequences of a strike.

  Academic text (2012)

• But I'm going for a walk, and that walk should help blunt the response.

  Kevin Jubbal, M.D.

• It does absolutely nothing to blunt the pain.

  Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

• They knew a revolution was coming and they wanted to blunt it as much as they could.

  END:CIV (2011)

• Acknowledging this does not, however, blunt the force of two crucial points.

  Academic text (2007)

• Their passion for helping the students gets blunted as they wearily pour forth knowledge.

  Academic text (2003)

• Additionally, trans-border criminal enterprises and underground financial transactions could blunt the impact of sanctions placed on Iran.

  Academic text (2013)

• The delegates decided to expand political efforts to blunt growing pro-choice strength precinct by precinct.

  Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

M

to modify

vsto blunt

66 3.5

Make something less strong or harsh

specifically weakens sharpness, intensity, or effectiveness rather than just change

N

to numb

vsto blunt

62 4.2

Make a body part and the mind unable to feel, often by cold or medicine

reduces sensation or intensity rather than removing all feeling

D

to dull

vsto blunt

33 3.4

Cause something to become less sharp, strong or bright

reduces force or effectiveness rather than general sensory reduction

D

to deaden

vsto blunt

3 5.5

To make a feeling, sound, or pain less strong

focuses on reducing sharpness or effectiveness rather than liveliness

O

to obtund

vsto blunt

• Specialized

1 9.9

To make pain, a feeling, or a body response less strong

reduces sharpness or impact in everyday contexts not only technical ones

Antonyms

I

to intensify

110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

S

to sharpen

35 2.1

To make the edge or tip of something thin and able to cut, like a knife

Compounds

B

blunt trauma

• Specialized

6 5.3

Injury caused by a hard hit that does not make a cut, often in car crashes

B

blunt instrument

3 7.0

A rough, not precise way to solve a problem that often causes harm

B

blunt honesty

1 3.9

Saying the truth in a direct way that may hurt people

B

blunt file

• Specialized

7.1

A metal tool with two flat sides used to smooth or shape hard materials

B

blunt-leaf heath

• Australian

9.9

A small upright shrub from Australia and Tasmania with fragrant white flowers

How Sharp

to deaden

3 5.5

to dull

33 3.4

to blunt

21 4.2

to soften

50 3.1

Surface Forms

Etymology