brusque
blunt and abrupt in manner or speech
Word origin: From French brusque, rough or abrupt, via Italian brusco.
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.
More GRE words starting with B
marked by riotous, unrestrained revelry and drunken festivity
to pester or harass someone persistently
light, playful, and witty banter
to confuse or perplex thoroughly
threatening harm or menacing in a sinister way
to hesitate or refuse to proceed with something
to swell or puff out, or to increase rapidly in amount or size
lacking originality and so dull or commonplace
Questions about “brusque”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.