v.

1. make less intense
   
   • blunted emotions
2. make numb or insensitive;
   numb, benumb, dull
   
   • The shock numbed her senses
3. make dull or blunt;
   dull
   
   • Too much cutting dulls the knife's edge
4. make less sharp
   
   • blunt the knives
5. make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation;
   deaden
   
   • Terror blunted her feelings
   • deaden a sound

adj.

1. having a broad or rounded end
   
   • thick marks made by a blunt pencil
2. used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
   
   • a blunt instrument
3. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion;
   candid, forthright, frank, free-spoken, outspoken, plainspoken, point-blank, straight-from-the-shoulder
   
   • 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
4. devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment;
   crude(a), stark(a)
   
   • the blunt truth
   • the crude facts
   • facing the stark reality of the deadline