Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

brusque

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore B words

blunt and abrupt in manner or speech

Word origin: From French brusque, rough or abrupt, via Italian brusco.

Test your vocabulary in a real test Full-length · no signup · instant score
In a sentence

Brusque in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing brusque in a sentence.

Her brusque reply left no room for further questions.

Her brusque reply ended the conversation before he could explain himself.

Synonyms
Antonyms
graciouspolite
Usage & nuance

Using “brusque” well

Brusque describes a blunt, abrupt manner that can seem rude. Distinguish it from brisk, a look-alike that connotes lively energy rather than curtness.

Common questions

Questions about “brusque

Brusque (adjective) means blunt and abrupt in manner or speech
Here is brusque used in an example sentence: "Her brusque reply left no room for further questions." Another example: "Her brusque reply ended the conversation before he could explain himself."
Common synonyms for brusque include curt, abrupt, blunt, gruff.
Antonyms of brusque include gracious, polite.
Brusque clusters with curt, abrupt, blunt, and gruff. Its antonyms gracious and polite mark the courteous answers; watch the brisk trap.
Yes. Brusque is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

See these words the way the GRE tests them.

Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.