BLUNT
Dictionary entry overview: What does blunt mean?
• BLUNT (adjective)
The adjective BLUNT has 4 senses:
1. having a broad or rounded end
2. used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
3. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
4. devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
Familiarity information: BLUNT used as an adjective is uncommon.
• BLUNT (verb)
The verb BLUNT has 5 senses:
1. make less intense
2. make numb or insensitive
3. make dull or blunt
4. make less sharp
5. make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation
Familiarity information: BLUNT used as a verb is common.
Dictionary entry details
• BLUNT (adjective)
Meaning:
Having a broad or rounded end
Context example:
thick marks made by a blunt pencil
Similar:
pointless; unpointed (not having a point especially a sharp point)
Meaning:
Used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
Context example:
a blunt instrument
Similar:
dull (not having a sharp edge or point)
Meaning:
Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
Synonyms:
straight-from-the-shoulder; point-blank; free-spoken; frank; forthright; candid; outspoken; plainspoken; blunt
Context examples:
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
Similar:
direct (extended senses; direct in means or manner or behavior or language or action)
Meaning:
Devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
Synonyms:
stark; blunt; crude
Context examples:
the blunt truth / the crude facts / facing the stark reality of the deadline
Similar:
unconditional (not conditional)
• BLUNT (verb)
Meaning:
Make less intense
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
blunted emotions
Hypernyms (to "blunt" is one way to...):
weaken (lessen the strength of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make numb or insensitive
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Synonyms:
benumb; numb; blunt; dull
Context example:
The shock numbed her senses
Hypernyms (to "blunt" is one way to...):
desensitise; desensitize (cause not to be sensitive)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Meaning:
Make dull or blunt
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
blunt; dull
Context example:
Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge
Hypernyms (to "blunt" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make less sharp
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
blunt the knives
Hypernyms (to "blunt" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
blunt; deaden
Context examples:
Terror blunted her feelings / deaden a sound
Hypernyms (to "blunt" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "blunt"):
obtund (reduce the edge or violence of)
petrify (cause to become stonelike or stiff or dazed and stunned)
break; damp; dampen; soften; weaken (lessen in force or effect)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
