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Some common synonyms of brusque<\/em> are bluff<\/em><\/a>, blunt<\/em><\/a>, crusty<\/em><\/a>, curt<\/em><\/a>, and gruff<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner,\" brusque<\/em> applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.<\/p>

\/\/ a brusque<\/em> response<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'bluff' take the place of 'brusque'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of bluff<\/em><\/a> and brusque<\/em> largely overlap; however, bluff<\/em> connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.<\/p>

\/\/ a bluff<\/em> manner<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'blunt' be a better fit than 'brusque'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to brusque<\/em>, blunt<\/em><\/a> suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.<\/p>

\/\/ a blunt<\/em> appraisal<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'crusty' be a reasonable alternative to 'brusque'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words crusty<\/em><\/a> and brusque<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crusty<\/em> suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.<\/p>

\/\/ a crusty<\/em> exterior<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'curt' be used to replace 'brusque'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms curt<\/em><\/a> and brusque<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but curt<\/em> implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.<\/p>

\/\/ a curt<\/em> command<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'gruff' a more appropriate choice than 'brusque'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms gruff<\/em><\/a> and brusque<\/em> are close in meaning, gruff<\/em> suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.<\/p>

\/\/ puts on a gruff<\/em> pose<\/p>" } } ] }

brusque

adjective

ˈbrÉ™sk How to pronounce brusque (audio)
variants also brusk
Definition of brusquenext
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner a brusque and unhelpful reply from the clerk in the hardware store

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brusque distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of brusque are bluff, blunt, crusty, curt, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

In what contexts can bluff take the place of brusque?

The meanings of bluff and brusque largely overlap; however, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When might blunt be a better fit than brusque?

While in some cases nearly identical to brusque, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

Where would crusty be a reasonable alternative to brusque?

The words crusty and brusque are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When could curt be used to replace brusque?

The synonyms curt and brusque are sometimes interchangeable, but curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

When is gruff a more appropriate choice than brusque?

While the synonyms gruff and brusque are close in meaning, gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brusque Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026 Farrell, by contrast, plays a brusque, dim henchman named Alec, who’s there mostly to look tough and briefly talk about Star Wars. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025 Cumdumpster, by contrast, was brusque, peremptory, and stingy with his scores, as if I’d been put on earth to curate pornography for him. —Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 As her symptoms rapidly worsened, a rather brusque doctor was called to our house. —Patti Newton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brusque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brusque
  1. abrupt
  2. blunt
  3. gruff
  4. curt
  5. short
  6. rude
Adjective
  • What does the abrupt cancellation mean for ABC, the show's production company, the 22 bachelors and Paul herself?
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Terms of a lawsuit settlement should include assurances of no abrupt management changes that could compromise coverage or threaten the job stability of staff members.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of abrupt
Adjective
  • One of the skeletons had blunt force injuries to the skull from a sharp object, but it's not known what weapon could have caused the injuries.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Sahu is blunt about the competitive differentiation.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of blunt
Adjective
  • As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
  • As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Definition of curt
Adjective
  • Rivers has received some second-round buzz, despite his shorter-than-average stature.
    — Mike Kaye March 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Woelfel says schools tend to have a greater focus on discipline than prevention – and also fall short on providing support to students after an incident.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Other complaints from the boys included rude police officers and strict rules.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • While Ward’s speed made for a rude welcoming, the most notable part of Cole’s day was his velocity.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of rude

Browse Nearby Words

brushy
brusque
brusquely
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Cite this Entry

“Brusque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brusque. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of brusque for Spanish Speakers

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