Phrase guide

blunt instrument

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An object lacking sharp surfaces, especially as used to cause injury.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A thing, person, method, or resource which is not sufficiently precise or not sufficiently effective for its intended role or use.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 鈍器 /钝器 (dùnqì) — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Danish: stump genstand — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Finnish: tylppä esine — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • French: arme contondante — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • French: instrument contondant — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • French: outil contondant — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Italian: corpo contundente — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Polish: tępe narzędzie — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Romanian: instrument contondent — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Russian: тупо́е ору́дие (tupóje orúdije) — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury
  • Swedish: tillhygge — object lacking sharp surfaces used to cause injury