bluntly

From blunt +‎ -ly.

• IPA^(key): /ˈblʌntli/

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bluntly (comparative more bluntly, superlative most bluntly)

1. In a blunt manner; without delicacy, or the usual forms of civility.
   • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii:

     Note the preſumption of this Scythian ſlaue:
     I tel thee villaine, thoſe that lead my horſe
     Haue to their names tytles of dignitie,
     And dar’ſt thou bluntly cal me Baiazeth?

   • 2021 November 29, Alan Shearer, “Why Newcastle have to win their next two games to give them hope of staying in the Premier League - Alan Shearer analysis”, in BBC Sport‎:

     To put it bluntly, they are going to have to start defending a heck of a lot better than they have been, otherwise their season - and top-flight status - could well be over before they know it.

   • 2022 August 24, Philip Haigh, “Network News: Union slams Avanti West Coast: 'lie' as services slashed”, in RAIL, number 964, page 6:

     Drivers' union ASLEF bluntly rebuffed the claim of unofficial action, calling it a lie. And Avanti West Coast was unable to provide any proof for its assertion, when questioned by RAIL.

• coarsely, plainly, abruptly, frankly