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brusqueness

brusqueness

1 7.9
A short, direct way of speaking that often seems rude
  • noun
  • /ˈbrʌsknəs/
translation icon : brusquedad
  • The President and his advisers are a little speechless at her strength and brusqueness.

Examples

  • He wasn't being especially rude; that was how he greeted almost everyone, and he held out his hand as if to soften his brusqueness.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • She appreciated his honest feedback, despite its brusqueness.

  • His brusqueness was entirely military, balanced by unfailing good manners.

  • Sibley is all business, but his brusqueness masks genuine regret.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • He was surprised by his own brusqueness to a good friend and by the depth of his revulsion for the others.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Hendrik had a brusqueness, an impatience about him when he was in a hurry, and so Dennis kept it quick and concise.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The brusqueness of his manner at their first meeting had completely vanished, and he invited Pitt into his sitting room with as much curiosity as it was courteous to show.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • They all exuded only brusqueness now, and they directed the girls into the deserted corridor, across the cold tile flooring, and out into the schoolyard.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • His brusqueness often surprises new employees during their first meeting.

  • The customer's brusqueness made the waiter feel uncomfortable at the restaurant.

Synonyms

rudeness
vsbrusqueness
27 1.8

Lack of politeness or respect for other people

is rude too but specifically focuses on blunt, abrupt manner
bluntness
vsbrusqueness
6 4.8

A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude

is equally direct but leans more to abrupt manner than frankness
brashness
vsbrusqueness
3 6.8

A way of acting that is too bold, loud, and rude

is rude and abrupt but less about showiness and more about blunt manner
coarseness
vsbrusqueness
2 6.4

Rudeness or crude behavior that shows little politeness

is rude and abrupt but more about blunt manner than crudeness
sharpness
vsbrusqueness
1 4.6

A harsh, sudden way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

is abrupt in manner rather than urgent or demanding in tone
abruptness
vsbrusqueness
1 5.2

A rude, sudden way of speaking or behaving

is abrupt but more about bluntness than sudden shock
gruffness
vsbrusqueness
1 6.6

A rough, unfriendly way of speaking or acting

is similarly blunt but centers on abrupt manner rather than roughness
boorishness
vsbrusqueness
1 8.1

Rude, insensitive behavior that ignores good manners

is abrupt and blunt but less about coarse manners than suddenness
curtness
vsbrusqueness
1 7.0

A short, rude way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

is similar but focuses more on blunt directness than brevity
shortness
vsbrusqueness
1 6.5

A quick, unfriendly way of speaking to someone

is abrupt too but emphasizes blunt, not merely unfriendly, tone
abrasiveness
vsbrusqueness
1 7.0

A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people

is blunt and abrupt but less about causing offence than being sudden
snippiness
vsbrusqueness
1 7.7

A short, slightly rude way of speaking to someone

is typically blunter and more abrupt rather than merely slightly rude
acerbity
vsbrusqueness
1 9.8

A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people

is abrupt and blunt, not mainly bitter or hostile
roughness
vsbrusqueness
1 3.9

A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe

is abrupt and blunt but specifically marks sudden manner rather than severity
ungentleness
vsbrusqueness
1 8.2

A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting

is abrupt and blunt but focuses on manner rather than unkindness
spikiness
vsbrusqueness
7.4

A rude, sharp way of speaking that shows anger or impatience

is blunt and abrupt but less about irritability than bluntness
pungence
vsbrusqueness
  • Archaic
9.5

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

is blunt and abrupt but less about sharp wit and more manner
pungency
vsbrusqueness
8.0

Speech or writing that is sharp and often hurts people

is abrupt in manner rather than aiming to sting with words
causticity
vsbrusqueness
9.7

Speech or writing that is sharply critical and makes people feel bad

is blunt in manner rather than primarily critical or sarcastic
acridity
vsbrusqueness
9.4

A harsh tone in speech or writing that hurts people

is abrupt and blunt but less about disagreeableness than manner
acridness
vsbrusqueness
8.4

A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people

is abrupt and blunt but focuses on manner rather than offensiveness
ungraciousness
vsbrusqueness
8.1

Being rude and not polite to other people

is impolite as well but specifically shows blunt abruptness rather than general discourtesy
brassiness
vsbrusqueness
6.0

A loud, bold way of behaving that often seems rude

is blunt and abrupt but not primarily loud or showy
brash attitude
vsbrusqueness
6.6

A bold, rude way of behaving that upsets people

is blunt and abrupt but less deliberately aggressive and showy

Antonyms

19 1.3

A kind, calm way of treating people or animals

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

How Abrupt

brusqueness
1 7.9
curtness
1 7.0

Surface Forms

brusqueness singular
brusquenesses plural

Morphology

brusqueness = brusque (transparent) = brusque + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'brusque' using the productive suffix '-ness'; the meaning is directly the quality of being brusque.

Etymology

Brusqueness comes from the French and Italian words brusque and brusco, which meant 'sharp' or 'harsh'. So brusqueness is like a 'sharp' way of speaking — quick and sometimes rude.