Bluntness: meaning, definitions and examples

Best used when referring to speech that is straightforward but may be perceived as harsh or hurtful due to lack of tact.

• Her bluntness often left people feeling offended, even though she didn't intend to hurt anyone
• His bluntness in meetings sometimes caused tension

Appropriate when referring to communication that is straightforward, clear, and to the point, typically without unnecessary details.

• His directness in giving instructions made everything clear for the team
• She admired his directness, as it left no room for misunderstandings

Suitable when describing honest and open communication, particularly when someone expresses truthfulness with sincerity and without duplicity.

• His candor about the company's financial situation was appreciated by the investors
• She was known for her candor, never afraid to speak the truth

Best used when describing a manner of speaking that is straightforward and honest but with a connotation of friendliness and openness.

• She appreciated his frankness; he was always honest but never mean
• His frankness helped them solve issues more quickly

Use in contexts where someone is not only direct but also abrupt and rude, often in a way that feels dismissive or curt.

• The manager's brusqueness made employees feel undervalued
• Her brusqueness when answering questions made the discussion feel hostile

This term is used to describe the quality of being straightforward and direct in speech, sometimes to the point of rudeness. It can have a negative connotation if the candidness is perceived as insensitive.

• Her bluntness often offended people, but she believed in being honest.
• The manager's bluntness left no room for misinterpretation of his expectations.

This word is generally used to describe something that lacks excitement, interest, or brightness. It can refer to a boring situation, a lack of sharpness in a tool, or even a general lack of liveliness.

• The dullness of the lecture made it hard to stay awake.
• After years of use, the knife's dullness made it difficult to cut anything.

This phrase is often used in a literal sense to describe physical objects like knives or blades that are no longer sharp. It is also used metaphorically to describe a decline in mental acuity or clarity.

• The lack of sharpness of the scissors made cutting the paper nearly impossible.
• As he aged, there was a noticeable lack of sharpness in his memory and thinking.