bluntly

bluntly — adverb

1. in a way that states something very directly, with little effort to sound gentle

1.adverbC1
Definition

in a way that states something very directly, with little effort to sound gentle

Example

Priya said bluntly that the plan would fail without more money.

reporting verb + bluntly + that-clause

The doctor bluntly told Ravi to stop smoking after the test.

tell + person + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • say bluntly
  • tell someone bluntly
  • ask bluntly
  • warn bluntly
Synonyms
  • frankly

    often sounds honest and open, with less edge than `bluntly`

  • directly

    stresses going straight to the point, not necessarily sounding harsh

  • plainly

    often emphasizes clarity and simplicity more than emotional force

  • rudely

    focuses more on bad manners; `bluntly` may be honest rather than intentionally impolite

Antonyms
  • tactfully

    shows care for other people's feelings

  • politely

    emphasizes good manners and respectful wording

Grammar Patterns

say bluntly + that-clause

bluntly tell someone + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often appears with reporting verbs such as say, tell, ask, and warn. The fixed phrase `put it bluntly` is common when speakers introduce a hard opinion before stating it.

Common Mistakes

The manager bluntly us about the delay.
The manager spoke bluntly to us about the delay.
`bluntly` is an adverb, so it cannot replace the main verb.
Priya bluntly that the price was too high.
Priya said bluntly that the price was too high.
add a reporting verb such as `say` or `tell`.

Word family

  • blunt
    adjectiveB2
  • bluntness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

For `adverb/1`, `bluntly` is strongest when the speaker does not soften the message. `Frankly` also shows honesty, but it often sounds more open and less sharp. `Directly` means going straight to the point, and it may be efficient rather than hurtful. `Plainly` is often close in meaning, but it usually highlights clarity more than social impact. `Rudely` is different again: it focuses on bad manners, while `bluntly` can simply describe hard, unsoftened truth. Compare: `The nurse bluntly told him to stop drinking.` `Frankly, I expected a better answer.` The first feels harder; the second feels more open.

frankly ↗directly ↗plainly ↗rudely ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • put it bluntly
  • speak bluntly

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

`Bluntly` was formed in English from `blunt` and the adverb ending `-ly`. `Blunt` first described something with a dull edge or point, probably from a Scandinavian source in Middle English. Later, English used the word for speech that is not softened or carefully polite. The adverb keeps that idea: words that come out with a hard edge.