blunt Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make less intense
    • blunted emotions
  2. verb make numb or insensitive
    benumb; dull; numb.
    • The shock numbed her senses
  3. verb make dull or blunt
    dull.
    • Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge
  4. verb make less sharp
    • blunt the knives
  5. verb make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation
    deaden.
    • Terror blunted her feelings
    • deaden a sound
  6. adjective satellite having a broad or rounded end
    • thick marks made by a blunt pencil
  7. adjective satellite used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
    • a blunt instrument
  8. adjective satellite characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
    frank; straight-from-the-shoulder; outspoken; point-blank; candid; plainspoken; free-spoken; forthright.
    • blunt talking and straight shooting
    • a blunt New England farmer
    • I gave them my candid opinion
    • forthright criticism
    • a forthright approach to the problem
    • tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
    • it is possible to be outspoken without being rude
    • plainspoken and to the point
    • a point-blank accusation
  9. adjective satellite devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
    crude; stark.
    • the blunt truth
    • the crude facts
    • facing the stark reality of the deadline

WordNet

Blunt adjective
Etymology
Cf. Prov. G. bludde a dull or blunt knife, Dan. blunde to sleep, Sw. & Icel. blunda; or perh. akin to E. blind.
Definitions
  1. Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp.
    The murderous knife was dull and blunt. Shak.
  2. Dull in understanding; slow of discernment; stupid; -- opposed to acute.
    His wits are not so blunt. Shak.
  3. Abrupt in address; plain; unceremonious; wanting the forms of civility; rough in manners or speech. "Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior." "A plain, blunt man." Shak.
  4. Hard to impress or penetrate. R.
    I find my heart hardened and blunt to new impressions. Pope.
    ✍ Blunt is much used in composition, as blunt-edged, blunt-sighted, blunt-spoken. Syn. -- Obtuse; dull; pointless; curt; short; coarse; rude; brusque; impolite; uncivil.
Blunt transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Blunted; present participle & verbal noun Blunting
Definitions
  1. To dull the edge or point of, by making it thicker; to make blunt. Shak.
  2. To repress or weaken, as any appetite, desire, or power of the mind; to impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility, of; as, to blunt the feelings.
Blunt noun
Definitions
  1. A fencer's foil. Obs.
  2. A short needle with a strong point. See Needle.
  3. Money. Cant Beaconsfield.

Webster 1913