What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brusque
Example
The manager was brusque with his employees, often giving short and curt responses. [brusque: adjective]
Example
She brusquely dismissed his suggestion without even considering it. [brusquely: adverb]
curt
Example
His curt reply made it clear that he wasn't interested in continuing the conversation. [curt: adjective]
Example
She spoke curtly to the customer, not bothering to hide her annoyance. [curtly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Curt is more commonly used than brusque in everyday language. Curt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while brusque is less common and tends to be used in more formal or specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brusque and curt?
While brusque is typically associated with a more formal tone, curt is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
