1
: having an edge or point that is not sharp
scissors with blunt ends
was hit over the head with a blunt instrument
gave her bangs a blunt cut just above her eyebrows
2
a
: abrupt in speech or manner
She tends to be blunt.
a blunt refusal
b
: being straight to the point : direct
To be perfectly blunt, I don't think he can do it.
3
a
: slow or deficient in feeling : insensitive
… showing how blunt the eyes and ears of writers generally are …—
Norman Foerster
Norman Foerster
b
: obtuse (see obtuse sense 2a) in understanding or discernment : dull
his blunt mind
bluntly
adverb
bluntness
noun
blunted; blunting; blunts
: to make less sharp, definite, or forceful
an ax blunted from use
blunted their criticism by praising her enthusiasm
: to become blunt (see blunt entry 1)
: a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana
Synonyms
Examples of blunt in a Sentence
Adjective
To be perfectly blunt, I find her annoying.
He was blunt about needing more privacy.
Verb
a weapon blunted by use
the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene
Recent Examples on the WebTanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 28 June 2024
All but two of the skeletons showed evidence of puncture wounds and blunt force trauma—telltale signs of death in battle.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024
Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 June 2024
In Trump’s first term, his most radical foreign policy instincts were blunted by the presence of seasoned appointees; these figures will not be present in a second term.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 26 June 2024
Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024
The singer called attention to one particularly regrettable piece of ink depicting a baby smoking a blunt.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for blunt 
Adjective
Authorities said an autopsy found the boy died from blunt force trauma to his abdomen.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 28 June 2024
All but two of the skeletons showed evidence of puncture wounds and blunt force trauma—telltale signs of death in battle.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024
Verb
Former President Donald Trump attempted to blunt President Joe Biden invoking the former president’s conviction in New York as the two sparred in their Thursday presidential debate.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 June 2024
In Trump’s first term, his most radical foreign policy instincts were blunted by the presence of seasoned appointees; these figures will not be present in a second term.
—Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 26 June 2024
Noun
Transferring a metaphor from one use to another blunts its effect.
—Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024
The singer called attention to one particularly regrettable piece of ink depicting a baby smoking a blunt.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for blunt
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blunt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near blunt
Cite this Entry
“Blunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blunt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
blunt
1 of 2 adjective1
: slow or lacking in feeling or understanding
2
: having an edge or point that is not sharp
3
: abrupt in speech or manner
bluntly
adverb
bluntness
noun
blunt
2 of 2 verb
: to make or become less sharp
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