brusque

adjective

ˈbrəsk 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 The remainder of the match played out much the same as the rest with Paraguay playing a brusque style of physical soccer, which at times flirted with unsportsmanlike play that went unpunished by the referee. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 The Oscar winner appears in two early scenes of the film as a brusque fry cook named Hugo, who runs a tiny food kiosk making sandwiches on the seedy planet of Shakari. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 May 2026 Though Porter became well-known for her blunt questioning of witnesses in Congress, her brusque style has not translated to broad support in California’s 2026 governor’s race. — Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Perhaps too feisty and brusque than some unfairly find acceptable in a woman. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 12 May 2026 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
  • An abrupt sidebar with Kyle confirms that the reasons are diabolically political.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Following the abrupt closure of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts in 2024, the development and design firm Scout purchased Furness Hall and Haviland Hall (formerly Hamilton Hall) buildings on campus, rebranding them as Village of Industry & Art.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of abrupt
Adjective
  • The medical examiner’s office ruled the manner of death as a homicide and the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head at the time of the killing, according to the arrest report.
    — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • According to the blunt John Adams, the American Revolution began before the war with Britain, in the people’s minds and hearts, and Arendt situated those shifts in American town councils where citizens had debated local affairs.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blunt
Adjective
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pangan remembers of Brun, imitating his gruff voice, and shaking her head.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • After three minutes of routine and relatively curt responses, Redick was asked about the difficulty of closing a team out in a playoff series.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • There are at least three potential James Bonds among these actors, and each displays his own brand of curt, strapping charm.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of curt
Adjective
  • However short its window, think of it as a bridge to help ease your wardrobe’s transition from warmer days to cooler ones.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Three total solar eclipses within about two years occur because three separate Saros series happen to align over a short period.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Then off to the highway with you, up a mountain hill, in full control and at one with this rude, loud, hot machine.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe your child or grandchild posted a rude comment in a group chat.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brusque

Nglish: Translation of brusque for Spanish Speakers

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