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curtness

curtness

1 7.0
A short, rude way of speaking that sounds unfriendly
  • noun
  • /ˈkɜrt.nəs/
translation icon : brusquedad
  • Palomino suddenly stops pacing and addresses Nick with a curtness that is a little startling.

Examples

  • The digital blue moon, clinging SLR cameras, shoplift accurate tough curtness has encouraged a certain Herculean amount of low-priced competition into the market.

    Blog text (33)
  • Judging by the curtness and brevity of Christ Were's remarks, he saw this as a burlesque that disguised class-based interests with an appeal to the common good.

    Academic text (2001)
  • "This curtness was all the punishment he ever gave me.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I am about half a second from screaming, so forgive the curtness of this response.

    Blog text (19)
  • You can say you won't pick up a drink again." Her eyes sparked at his curtness.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Miss Mary, who had hardly looked at her all winter, who had taught her sad Yorkshire songs some distant summer afternoons, who was now all tight shoulders and curtness, Miss Mary, her mother's friend.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • His curtness during the meeting surprised everyone, as he usually likes to elaborate on his points.

  • She apologized for her curtness, explaining that she had a very busy day.

  • The teacher's curtness in answering questions left the students feeling confused.

Synonyms

rudeness
vscurtness
27 1.8

Lack of politeness or respect for other people

is a specific form of rude behavior focused on short speech
sass
vscurtness
  • Informal
16 8.7

Rude, cheeky talk to someone in charge

is rudeness through briefness rather than defiant disrespect
impertinence
vscurtness
7 8.1

Rude behavior or remarks that show a lack of respect

is rude by being short and abrupt rather than boldly cheeky
bluntness
vscurtness
6 4.8

A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude

is brief with rudeness as its goal rather than frankness
coarseness
vscurtness
2 6.4

Rudeness or crude behavior that shows little politeness

is focused on rude shortness rather than crude expression
brusqueness
vscurtness
1 7.9

A short, direct way of speaking that often seems rude

is specifically short and rude rather than merely blunt or frank
sharpness
vscurtness
1 4.6

A harsh, sudden way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

focuses more on rude brevity than on urgency or tone alone
abruptness
vscurtness
1 5.2

A rude, sudden way of speaking or behaving

is short and intentionally rude rather than only sudden
gruffness
vscurtness
1 6.6

A rough, unfriendly way of speaking or acting

is shorter and ruder rather than broadly rough in style
shortness
vscurtness
1 6.5

A quick, unfriendly way of speaking to someone

is brief for rude effect rather than merely unfriendly
snippiness
vscurtness
1 7.7

A short, slightly rude way of speaking to someone

is more clearly rude and abruptly brief rather than mildly dismissive
abrasiveness
vscurtness
1 7.0

A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people

is brief and abrupt to offend rather than broadly abrasive
acerbity
vscurtness
1 9.8

A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people

is concise to be rude rather than primarily bitter in tone
roughness
vscurtness
1 3.9

A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe

is about being short and rude rather than generally severe
snappiness
vscurtness
4.4

A person who is easily annoyed and speaks in short, sharp words

is brief to seem rude rather than only showing irritation
tartness
vscurtness
5.6

A sharp, cutting way of speaking that sounds rude

relies on short rude replies rather than sustained biting comments
ungraciousness
vscurtness
8.1

Being rude and not polite to other people

is narrower, describing rude briefness rather than broad discourtesy

Antonyms

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

Being longer than needed or comfortable

How Curt

rudeness
27 1.8
abruptness
1 6.3
curtness
1 7.0
briefness
3.4
tact
26 3.5
politeness
26 1.3

Surface Forms

curtness singular
curtnesses plural

Morphology

curtness = curt (transparent) = curt + ness

The noun is formed by the regular derivation of '-ness' from the adjective 'curt', expressing the quality of being curt.

Etymology

Curtness comes from the short adjective curt, which comes from an old word curtus meaning 'short'. Think of curtail, which means 'to make short', so curtness is the 'short' way someone speaks, and that shortness can feel abrupt or rude.