BLUNT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 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)

Comparative: blunter   
Superlative: bluntest   

Sense 1

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)

Derivation:

bluntness (without sharpness or clearness of edge or point)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Used of a knife or other blade; not sharp

Context example:

a blunt instrument

Similar:

dull (not having a sharp edge or point)

Derivation:

bluntness (without sharpness or clearness of edge or point)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

Synonyms:

blunt; candid; forthright; frank; free-spoken; outspoken; plainspoken; point-blank; straight-from-the-shoulder

Context example:

a point-blank accusation

Similar:

direct (straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action)

Derivation:

bluntness (the quality of being direct and outspoken)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment

Synonyms:

blunt; crude; stark

Context example:

facing the stark reality of the deadline

Similar:

unconditional; unconditioned (not conditional)

• BLUNT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they blunt    ... he / she / it blunts   
Past simple: blunted   
Past participle: blunted   
-ing form: blunting   

Sense 1

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make numb or insensitive

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

benumb; blunt; dull; numb

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

Sense 3

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

Sense 4

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

Sense 5

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 example:

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 from fright)

break; damp; dampen; soften; weaken (lessen in force or effect)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

 Context examples 

When I add that he possesses a large and very blunt knife, you have an additional aid.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They have been cut off with a blunt instrument, which would hardly happen if a student had done it.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then, cried Mrs. Jennings with blunt sincerity, no longer able to be silent, he has acted like an honest man!

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Causes include blunt injuries (e.g., motor vehicle accidents and sports-related injuries) and penetrating traumas (e.g., gunshot and knife injuries).

(Injury to Carotid Artery, NCI Thesaurus)

The direct effects of GH on bone, which are poorly understood, also are blunted.

(Food Intake and Energy Homeostasis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

His nerves had become blunted, numb, while his mind was filled with weird visions and delicious dreams.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The spur of ambition was blunted; he had no vitality with which to feel the prod of it.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It has a lean, blunted, wedge-shaped head that is flat on top. The trim, but muscular, body is slightly longer than it is tall.

(Collie, NCI Thesaurus)

In other words, ketamine had blocked the effects of over-activating area 25, which would otherwise blunt anticipation.

(Marmoset study gives insights into loss of pleasure in depression, University of Cambridge)