Synonyms:
| box, | concussion, | disaster, | misfortune, | stripe, |
| buffet, | cuff, | knock, | rap, | stroke, |
| calamity, | cut, | lash, | shock, | thump. |
A blow is a sudden impact, as of a fist or a club; a stroke is a sweeping movement; as, the stroke of a sword, of an oar, of the arm in swimming. A shock is the sudden encounter with some heavy body; as, colliding railway-trains meet with a shock; the shock of battle. A slap is given with the open hand, a lash with a whip, thong, or the like; we speak also of the cut of a whip. A buffet or cuff is given only with the hand; a blow either with hand or weapon. A cuff is a somewhat sidelong blow, generally with the open hand; as, a cuff or box on the ear. A stripe is the effect or mark of a stroke. In the metaphorical sense, blow is used for sudden, stunning, staggering calamity or sorrow; stroke for sweeping disaster, and also for sweeping achievement and success. We say a stroke of paralysis, or a stroke of genius. We speak of the buffets of adverse fortune. Shock is used of that which is at once sudden, violent, and prostrating; we speak of a shock of electricity, the shock of an amputation, a shock of surprise. Compare [BEAT].
BLUFF.
Synonyms:
| abrupt, | brusk, | impolite, | rough, |
| blunt, | coarse, | inconsiderate, | rude, |
| blustering, | discourteous, | open, | uncivil, |
| bold, | frank, | plain-spoken, | unmannerly. |
Bluff is a word of good meaning, as are frank and open. The bluff man talks and laughs loudly and freely, says and does whatever he pleases with fearless good nature, and with no thought of annoying or giving pain to others. The blunt man says things which he is perfectly aware are disagreeable, either from a defiant indifference to others' feelings, or from the pleasure of tormenting.
Antonyms:
| bland, | courteous, | genial, | polished, | polite, | refined, | reserved, | urbane. |