brusque
- adjective
- /brʌsk/
- During the meeting, his brusque comments surprised everyone and made the atmosphere tense.
- brusque manner
Examples
-
When she asked him a question, he responded in a brusque tone that left her feeling ignored.
-
As if reading my mind, he rises and excuses himself with a brusque bow.
Fiction book (1997) -
Sir, I know I was a little brusque, the last time we...
-
At the last moment, the leader gives a brusque order to one of his men.
Fiction book (1993) -
Excuse me if I was brusque.
-
Nothing in her manner changed; she was often brusque, but she was never weak.
Fiction book (2001) -
"The past, of course, and the farther the better," said the brusque bank manager.
Fiction book (2002) -
His face changed from brusque to concerned when he realized who his visitor was.
Fiction book (1992) -
Perhaps it was a rather brusque way of confronting her with reality, but there was no alternative.
Fiction book (1991) -
Well, isn't that rather a brusque way to inform us...
Synonyms
Not polite or showing little respect for others
Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude
Abrupt and rude in speech or behavior
Being short and rude in the way someone speaks
Speaking or acting in a rude, short way
Using few words and sounding unfriendly or abrupt
Using very few words in a way that seems rude
Speaking in a short, angry way because you are annoyed
Speaking or behaving in a short, rude way
A person who speaks in a rude, harsh way
A little rude and short in the way someone speaks
Antonyms
How Abrupt
Surface Forms
Etymology
Brusque comes from French and Italian words like brusco that meant 'sharp' or 'rough', like a sudden, strong taste. So, a brusque person has a quick, 'sharp' manner that can seem rude.