crusty

adjective

ˈkrə-stē How to pronounce crusty (audio)
crustier; crustiest
Synonyms of crustynext
1
: having or being a crust
2
: giving an effect of surly incivility in address or disposition
crustily
ˈkrə-stə-lē How to pronounce crusty (audio)
adverb
crustiness
ˈkrə-stē-nəs How to pronounce crusty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of crusty

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bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner.

bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Examples of crusty in a Sentence

a basket of warm, crusty bread We could see deer tracks in the crusty snow bank.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Eating them with your hands adds to the experience, and soaking up the broth with a charred and crusty baguette—well, there’s nothing better. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Made by stuffing braised pork onto crusty bread and dousing the whole thing in a tomatobased sauce, tortas ahogadas are impossible to miss and impossible to eat politely. — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 Serve with potatoes, broccolini, or any crusty bread to make sure no sauce goes untouched. — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026 Entering this sprawling time-travel bubble, visitors can pan for gold like the fabled Forty-Niners, talk with crusty prospectors and peruse a market center for wares. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crusty

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crusty was in the 14th century

Rhymes for crusty

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Browse Nearby Words

crust roan
crusty
crut
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Cite this Entry

“Crusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crusty. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crusty

adjective
ˈkrəs-tē How to pronounce crusty (audio)
crustier; crustiest
1
: having or being a crust
2
: cross entry 3 sense 3
crustiness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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