75 entries under tough topic. ×

38
curt(adjective, hard, open, direct)
30
short(adjective, hard, open, direct)
25
blunt(adjective, hard, open, direct)
22
discourteous(adjective, hard, direct, rough)
22
bluff(noun, adjective, hard, direct)
19
uncivil(adjective, hard, direct, rough)
14
impolite(adjective, hard, direct, rough)
13
churlish(adjective, hard, low, difficult)
13
crusty(adjective, hard, open, direct)
13
brief(adjective, hard, open, direct)
13
snappish(adjective, harsh, gloomy, depressed)
10
harsh(adjective, severe, gloomy, awkward)
10
surly(adjective, rough, low, difficult)
10
ungracious(adjective, hard, rough, difficult)
10
grouchy(adjective, low, difficult, sad)
7
ill-mannered(adjective, hard, harsh, rude)
7
peevish(adjective, difficult, harsh, rude)
7
petulant(adjective, difficult, harsh, rude)
7
tart(adjective, open, severe, rough)
7
unmannerly(adjective, hard, rough, harsh)
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APASmart Define. (2015). brusque thesaurus. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/brusque/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "brusque thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/brusque/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 25, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, brusque thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 25 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/brusque/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "brusque thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 25 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/brusque/thesaurus/synonyms>