blunt
Pronunciation: [blʌnt]
Context: “descriptive quality”
(adjective) when something is not sharp. For example, a blunt knife cannot cut things easily because its edge is dull.
Example
The blunt pencil worked fine for coloring, even though it needed to be sharpened.
Example
The chef was frustrated because the blunt knife could not slice through the meat.
Example
Is this knife blunt or sharp enough to cut the bread?
Context: “communication style”
(adjective) when someone speaks very directly and honestly, without trying to be polite. This can mean they may hurt feelings, but they are being truthful.
Example
She appreciated his blunt advice because it helped her see the problem clearly.
Example
He didn't like her blunt remarks; they made him feel bad.
Example
Do you think it's better to be blunt or to be more tactful when giving feedback?
Context: “change state”
(verb) to make a sharp edge less sharp. This can mean to dull a knife or to make something less intense or severe in effect.
Example
Over time, the frequent use of the knife began to blunt the edge.
Example
The exciting movie didn’t blunt the impact; it was thrilling until the end.
Example
Can we blunt the sharpness of the discussion to make it easier for everyone to understand?