brusque

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "brusque" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is abrupt or blunt in manner, often in a way that may come off as rude or unfriendly. Example: "His brusque response left her feeling taken aback and unsure of how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was all so brusque and low key, there was a suspicion that someone had forgotten to recharge the Arcola batteries.

The Guardian

Service can be brusque, and the wine list won't excite, but the food is worth the wait.

The Guardian - Travel

It turns out that this enchanting (it really is) croaking is a prelude to some quite staggeringly intense sex - among the frogs of course - passionate, though brusque, even by the average standard of us British males.

The Guardian - Travel

The message to them is clear: any reporter picking at the competence of Mr Museveni's administration can expect something rather nastier than a brusque cheerio at Entebbe airport, such as Mr Lambert experienced.

The Economist

But just as Mr Erez, a brusque businessman-turned-politician from the mainly Kurdish province of Van, thought he was in sight of success, in stepped Tansu Ciller, the woman who leads the conservative True Path party from which Mr Erez had earlier defected.

The Economist

On a trip to the Middle East a few weeks ago, she had a brusque encounter with a senior member of Egypt's new administration who adheres to the zealous Salafi reading of Islam.

The Economist

He then became chairman of Dennis, a commercial-vehicle company, and Babcock and Wilcox, an engineering company.Knighted in 1979, he quickly came to the attention of Lady Thatcher as the sort of brusque, no-nonsense chap who could sort out the nationalised behemoths.

The Economist

That depends.A land grab, but it saves lives tooIn this section Sincere deceivers The wall and the law Too stern a hand Thirty-five hofrs of misery Talking the talk Reprints Related items Israeli politics: The two old foxesJul 15th 2004If the court's ruling has a defect, it is its curiously brusque disposal of Israel's claim that it needs the barrier for self-defence.

The Economist

That will not do the trick.Israel, confident in having the world's only superpower as its loyal ally, does not much care what others are thinking: it was brusque this week in its rejection of unusually sharp criticism from the European Union.

The Economist

Hungarian voters strongly back Mr Orban's brusque approach.

The Economist

In private talks lasting past a midnight meal of pizza, he was emollient a contrast with Mr Chrétien's often brusque handling of the premiers.In this section Martin sets out his stall of sweeteners Inundated From corn wars to corn laws Not just for backpackers Correction: the United States International Trade Commission ReprintsMr Martin also showed flexibility.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brusque" when you want to convey a sense of directness that borders on rudeness. It's stronger than simply 'direct' or 'efficient'.

Common error

Avoid using "brusque" in contexts where politeness is paramount. Opt for more neutral alternatives like 'direct' or 'efficient' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "brusque" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a manner that is abrupt, blunt, and often unfriendly. As confirmed by Ludwig, the adjective typically suggests a lack of warmth or tact in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brusque" is an adjective used to describe an abrupt and blunt manner, often verging on rudeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts. It's most common in news and media, carrying a neutral tone. When writing, use "brusque" to highlight directness that lacks tact, but be cautious in formal environments where politeness is valued. Related phrases include "curt", "abrupt", and "blunt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curt

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes brevity and conciseness to the point of rudeness.

abrupt

Highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of the behavior or statement.

blunt

Focuses on the directness and lack of tact in the communication.

terse

Implies a brief and to-the-point manner, potentially lacking in warmth or friendliness.

short

Suggests a lack of patience or willingness to engage in conversation.

gruff

Highlights a rough and surly manner, often associated with speech.

clipped

Refers to speech that is quick and concise, sometimes sounding unfriendly.

offhand

Suggests a casual and dismissive manner, lacking in sincerity or concern.

unceremonious

Emphasizes the lack of formality or politeness in the action or statement.

taciturn

Describes a person who is habitually silent or reserved in speech.

FAQs

How do you use "brusque" in a sentence?

The word "brusque" is used to describe someone or something that is abrupt or blunt in manner or speech. For example, "His "brusque tone" made it clear he wasn't interested in discussing the matter further."

What can I say instead of "brusque"?

You can use alternatives like "curt", "abrupt", or "blunt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "brusque" or "brusk"?

"Brusque" is the correct spelling. "Brusk" is an archaic spelling and is rarely used in modern English.

What's the difference between "brusque" and "rude"?

"Brusque" implies a directness or abruptness in manner, while "rude" implies intentional disrespect or impoliteness. Someone can be "brusque but not rude", whereas rudeness is inherently offensive.