le brusque
sudden · abrupt
Qui agit ou parle de façon rapide et sans douceur.
Meaning (in English)
Brusque describes someone’s manner or an action that is abrupt, blunt, and sometimes rude, with little tact or warmth. It can also mean sudden or abrupt in how something happens.
- Person/manner: curt, short, offhand, tactless
Un ton brusque → “a brusque/curt tone” - Event/change/movement: sudden, abrupt
Un arrêt brusque → “a sudden stop”
Parts / word formation
- The word is a single root adjective: brusque.
- Related forms:
- brusquement (adverb): abruptly, bluntly
- brusquer (verb): to rush/force/precipitate something; to be abrupt with someone
- brusquerie (noun): brusqueness, bluntness
French synonyms
Depending on meaning:
- abrupt, sec (curt), cassant (cutting), malpoli (rude), grossier (coarse)
- For “sudden”: soudain, subit, brutal (often “violent/sudden”)
French antonyms
- For manner: aimable, courtois, poli, doux, bienveillant
- For suddenness: progressif, graduel, lent
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Examples
Le changement brusque surprend tout le monde.adjective
The sudden change surprises everyone.
Cette réaction brusque était inattendue.adjective
This sudden reaction was unexpected.
Son départ brusque a créé un grand silence.adjective
His sudden departure created a great silence.
Elle évite les gestes brusques avec les enfants.adjective
She avoids abrupt movements with the children.
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