| Dull |
| Weaken |
| Deaden |
| Direct |
| Obtund |
| Candid |
| Brusque |
| Tactless |
| Not sharp |
| Big joint |
| Dull-edged |
| Outspoken? |
| Insensitive |
| Unvarnished |
| Free-spoken |
| Like a foil |
| To the point |
| Plain-spoken |
| From the hip |
| Straightforward |
| Not too tactful |
| Not pussyfooting |
| Short on finesse |
| Mincing no words |
| Outspokenly frank |
| Less than tactful |
| Not mincing words |
| Pulling no punches |
| Like a used pencil |
| Needing sharpening |
| Far from diplomatic |
| Painfully forthright |
| Telling it like it is |
| In need of sharpening |
| Disconcertingly direct |
| Like an épée's point |
| Not sharp, as a pencil |
| Uncompromisingly direct |
| Not pulling any punches |
| Forthright — pointless |
| Not for the thin-skinned |
| To the point, ironically |
| Forthright – Soviet spy |
| Dull — outspoken — spy |
| Frank — Soviet spy, d. 1983 |
| You're Beautiful" singer James |
| To the point ... or not pointed |
| Far from beating around the bush |
| Lacking a sharp point, as a fencing sword |
| Not pointed ... and the start of an eight-step word ladder |