blunt

having a broad or rounded end

• “thick marks made by a blunt pencil”

used of a knife or other blade; not sharp

• “a blunt instrument”

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

• “blunt talking and straight shooting”
• “a blunt New England farmer”
• “I gave them my candid opinion”
• “forthright criticism”
• “a forthright approach to the problem”
• “tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank”
• “it is possible to be outspoken without being rude”
• “plainspoken and to the point”
• “a point-blank accusation”

devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment

• “the blunt truth”
• “the crude facts”
• “facing the stark reality of the deadline”

make less intense

• “blunted emotions”

make numb or insensitive

• “The shock numbed her senses”

make dull or blunt

• “Too much cutting dulls the knife”

make less sharp

• “blunt the knives”

make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation

• “Terror blunted her feelings”
• “deaden a sound”