blunderbuss Definition
- 1a short-barreled gun with a wide opening at the muzzle, used for firing shot at short range
- 2a clumsy or insensitive person
Using blunderbuss: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "blunderbuss" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The pirate captain carried a blunderbuss on his belt.
Example
He's such a blunderbuss that he broke the vase while trying to dust it.
Example
The politician's speech was a blunderbuss of mixed messages and contradictions.
blunderbuss Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for blunderbuss
- shotgun
- scattergun
- clumsy person
- insensitive person
Phrases with blunderbuss
a method of doing something that is careless, haphazard, or lacking in precision
Example
The company's blunderbuss approach to marketing has resulted in a lot of wasted resources.
blunderbuss tactics
a strategy that is aggressive, unrefined, or lacking in subtlety
Example
The coach's blunderbuss tactics failed to win the game.
a person who is clumsy, insensitive, or lacking in social graces
Example
His blunderbuss personality made him unpopular among his colleagues.
Origins of blunderbuss
from Dutch 'donderbus', meaning 'thunder pipe'
Summary: blunderbuss in Brief
The term 'blunderbuss' [ˈblʌndəbʌs] refers to a short-barreled gun with a wide opening at the muzzle, used for firing shot at short range. It can also mean a clumsy or insensitive person. The phrase 'blunderbuss approach' denotes a careless or haphazard method, while 'blunderbuss personality' describes a person who is lacking in social graces.