CURT Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'curt' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of curt are bluff , blunt , brusque , crusty , and gruff . While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness. // a curt command

Q: Where would 'bluff' be a reasonable alternative to 'curt'?

The words bluff and curt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality. // a bluff manner

Q: When could 'blunt' be used to replace 'curt'?

While in some cases nearly identical to curt , blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings. // a blunt appraisal

Q: When would 'brusque' be a good substitute for 'curt'?

The words brusque and curt can be used in similar contexts, but brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness. // a brusque response

Q: In what contexts can 'crusty' take the place of 'curt'?

The meanings of crusty and curt largely overlap; however, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness. // a crusty exterior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gruff' instead of 'curt'?

In some situations, the words gruff and curt are roughly equivalent. However, gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness. // puts on a gruff pose

curt

adjective

ˈkərt

Definition of curt

as in blunt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner she was offended by the curt reply to her well-meaning question

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning on a daily basis she e-mailed to her commanders curt reports on the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word curt distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of curt are bluff, blunt, brusque, crusty, and gruff. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

Where would bluff be a reasonable alternative to curt?

The words bluff and curt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

When could blunt be used to replace curt?

While in some cases nearly identical to curt, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When would brusque be a good substitute for curt?

The words brusque and curt can be used in similar contexts, but brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

In what contexts can crusty take the place of curt?

The meanings of crusty and curt largely overlap; however, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When is it sensible to use gruff instead of curt?

In some situations, the words gruff and curt are roughly equivalent. However, 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 curt But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026 Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026 Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration -- and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. — Andrew Seligman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026 The host and White House correspondent had a curt reaction to the president's lengthy social media rant. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curt

Adjective

Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where Sophie Cunningham turns her attention to Missouri football and wears a hat that sends a simple, yet blunt message to the woman-hating WNBA girls.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Most interesting was the presence of linear fractures in 18 of the skulls (about 39 percent), suggesting blunt force trauma.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of blunt

Adjective

Unlike some abrupt management shifts at theaters, Brätt is not inheriting a season that someone else put together.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
At Will Does Not Answer Every Question California’s at-will rule gives employers broad room to make personnel decisions, including decisions an employee may consider abrupt or poorly reasoned.

— William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of abrupt

Adjective

With this fast-approaching launch date and the program’s brief approval window, travelers could have an Argentine passport in hand in a matter of months.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The onetime estate of Dolly Parton, who passed away in August at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, has surfaced for sale in the exclusive Bird Streets neighborhood of Los Angeles for the first time in a quarter-century.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
Each snapshot showed the electron distribution at a slightly different moment, allowing the researchers to follow quantum motion that occurs on extremely short timescales.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of short

Adjective

The judge considered hundreds of pages of evidence and testimony from San Diego officials, homeowners and their lawyers and determined that the city had not met the burden for what is called summary adjudication in any of the five causes of actions.

— Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Such rights obviously do not include summary execution at sea.

— Mary Ellen O'Connell, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of summary

Adjective

We were taught by a gruff cockney called Fred Waring, who had participated in the D-Day landings in a regiment that had fought its way across Europe towards Berlin and liberated the concentration camp at Belsen.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
His only hope to get home turns out to be Nick (Kenneth Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent who loves American pop culture and is really good in a fight.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gruff

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cursory

curt

curtail

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“Curt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curt. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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