BLUNTNESS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

bluntness

noun

Definition of bluntness

as in honesty

the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions the refreshing bluntness of the former president in assessing those who followed him in the Oval Office

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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 bluntness What Premier League clubs have shifted away from is — and apologies for the bluntness here — tolerating goalkeepers who aren’t good enough at saving shots. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness — and profanity — in assessing players, plays, games or whatever. — CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Their snobbery is juxtaposed with Carney’s friend and colleague Pepper’s unsettling bluntness and eyeball to eyeball stare. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Tshabalala’s bluntness about the economic cost is the rare honest signal here; business will not be pacified by euphemisms. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 With his usual bluntness, Jokic said the Nuggets weren’t a good enough team to win last season based on the results. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026 And thanks to his bluntness, something clicked. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 June 2026 Rise and fall But Healy, with her characteristic bluntness, didn’t sugar-coat what happened to that law. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026 If a culture prizes bluntness, ask where honesty has been missing. — Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluntness

Noun

Daniel and Shaheen bring such confidence and emotional honesty to the roles.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
A touch of honesty from the family running the show goes a long way.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

As for the universality of her hypnotic, soulful sound and her dynamic, jazzy mezzo-soprano voice, Kidjo’s singing in five languages (Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen-Mina and English) has forever been key to the funk, its frankness and her grace.

— A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Hayden Panettiere, the child actor who rose to stardom in television and also spoke with raw frankness about her struggles with fame and mental health, died Sunday, according to her family.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of frankness

Noun

Palace missed Sarr’s directness, with summer signing Dwight McNeil, Eddie Nketiah and Mateta not showing a full understanding.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Marius, approaching 50, is a big doctor in this provincial city, not just a surgeon but the director of the hospital, and a man who prides himself on his directness and honesty.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of directness

Noun

According to another league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity for their candor, New Orleans has been interested in Mathurin since his time in Indiana and sees him as a potential long-term piece.

— William Guillory, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
During the offseason, the 44-year-old Sumrall captured the hearts of fans with his candor, wit and intensity.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of candor

Noun

But the Windows handheld software experience on the Claw is just awful compared to the straightforwardness of SteamOS on the Steam Deck.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 June 2026
On Monday morning, Starmer, whose resignation has appeared inevitable for some time, delivered the news with his customary straightforwardness.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of straightforwardness

Noun

Her political outspokenness and fearlessness in challenging the danger women face in flaunting their sexuality, particularly in her native Argentina, is one of her strengths, as is her ability to imagine a new world where that violence doesn’t exist.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
His outspokenness has spurred discourse among country music's Republican-leaning audience.

— Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of outspokenness

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bluntness

blunts

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“Bluntness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluntness. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bluntness

noun

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