brusk
Short and gruff
Brusk is a variant spelling of brusque, meaning abrupt or curt in manner.
Someone brusk cuts conversations short and dispenses with pleasantries: His brusk reply ended the discussion.
The spelling with a k is less common than brusque but appears in older texts and some regional usage.
Abruptly rude in speech
- terseBrief to bluntness
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- shortOf limited extent
clipped · gruff · snippy · snappish · sharp · crisp · dismissive · impatient
Harsh in manner
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- roughUneven in surface
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- surlyBad-tempered and unfriendly
crusty · bearish · churlish · cantankerous · ornery · grumpy · sullen · crabby
Undeviating or to guide
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- frankOpen and direct
- candidHonest and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
plain-spoken · straightforward · outspoken · unvarnished · tactless · undiplomatic · point-blank · explicit
curt
Abruptly rude in speech
short · clipped · gruff · snippy · snappish · sharp · crisp · dismissive · impatient · perfunctory
gruff
Harsh in manner
surly · crusty · bearish · churlish · cantankerous · ornery · grumpy · sullen · crabby · boorish
direct
Undeviating or to guide
forthright · plain-spoken · straightforward · outspoken · unvarnished · tactless · undiplomatic · point-blank · explicit · unequivocal