brusque

Imagine someone who answers questions with one-word replies and barely makes eye contact—that's brusque. It describes a manner or reply that is abrupt, blunt, and short, often sounding impatient. A brusque response is often clear and quick, but usually cold and less friendly than typical politeness would suggest. You might encounter it in a brief email from a stressed coworker, or from someone at a busy counter who skips pleasantries and goes straight to the point. It often feels like efficiency pushed past where warmth gets left behind.

The word brusque describes a manner that is abrupt, direct, and often curt or blunt. It's more than plain straightforwardness; it often suggests a lack of social warmth or tact. Someone who is brusque doesn't bother with pleasantries or softening their words—they get to the point in a way that can feel harsh, dismissive, or impatient.

While not always hostile, brusque style is usually received as unfriendly, because it prioritizes brevity over politeness. You can hear it when someone says, "No, I don't want anything else," without softening the sentence, or read it in a message that sounds clipped and dismissive.

You'll most often encounter brusque when describing someone's personality, behavior, or delivery. For example: "The doctor was known for his brusque manner, but he was a skilled surgeon." Or, "Her brusque tone made it clear she didn't want to be disturbed." It can also describe speech itself: "He gave a brusque reply and turned away."

It is important to note that brusque doesn't necessarily mean malicious. A person might be brusque because they are stressed, preoccupied, or simply prefer a very direct communication style. However, it often comes across as impolite or emotionally distant. If someone describes you as brusque, it may be a sign they feel a more tactful tone would make things easier between you.