brusque
Short in manner
Brusque describes a manner that is abrupt and curt, lacking warmth or patience: His brusque reply made clear he didn't want to talk.
Someone brusque gets straight to the point without social niceties—efficient but potentially rude.
The word suggests impatience rather than hostility: The receptionist was brusque but helpful.
Of limited extent
- snappyQuick and clever
- snippyCurtly impatient in manner
- clippedCut or trimmed briefly
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
dismissive · offhand · terse · brisk · peremptory · impatient · hurried · perfunctory
Uneven in surface
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- crustyHard-shelled, literally or figuratively
- surlyBad-tempered and unfriendly
bearish · growling · gravelly · hoarse · grumpy · cantankerous · crabby · testy
Lacking good manners
- discourteousLacking good manners
- uncivilLacking basic politeness
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
- ungraciousImpolite, especially when thanked
inconsiderate · ill-mannered · abrasive · churlish · crass · coarse · crude · indelicate
Undeviating or to guide
- frankOpen and direct
- candidHonest and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
unvarnished · plain-spoken · matter-of-fact · undiplomatic · tactless · outspoken · unfiltered · explicit
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- remoteDistant or controller
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- impersonalLacking warmth or individuality
unfriendly · unwelcoming · unapproachable · standoffish · frosty · icy · chilly · cool
short
Of limited extent
sharp · dismissive · offhand · terse · brisk · peremptory · impatient · hurried · perfunctory · monosyllabic
rough
Uneven in surface
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- crustyHard-shelled, literally or figuratively
surly · bearish · growling · gravelly · hoarse · grumpy · cantankerous · crabby · testy · irascible
impolite
Lacking good manners
- discourteousLacking good manners
- uncivilLacking basic politeness
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
ungracious · inconsiderate · ill-mannered · abrasive · churlish · crass · coarse · crude · indelicate · unrefined
direct
Undeviating or to guide
- frankOpen and direct
- candidHonest and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
straightforward · unvarnished · plain-spoken · matter-of-fact · undiplomatic · tactless · outspoken · unfiltered · explicit · pointed
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
impersonal · unfriendly · unwelcoming · unapproachable · standoffish · frosty · icy · chilly · cool · reserved
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- harsh tonesharsh, sharp, biting, cutting, caustic
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- shortshort, brief, small, little, tiny
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- Blunt honestyblunt, candid, direct, frank, honest
brusquepolite
Showing good manners
courteous · gracious · civil · diplomatic · tactful
brusqueverbose
More words than necessary
long-winded · loquacious · voluble · talkative · prolix