differences between 'dull' and 'blunt'

[Hothu]

Hi,
Please tell me the differences between 'dull' and 'blunt'. Thanks much.

[Torsten]

It depends on what you are talking about. For example, a job can be dull but not blunt. A knife can be blunt but not dull.

TOEIC listening, photographs: London

[Molly]

[Yankee]

Not only that, but I'd say some "blunt knives" are actually specifically manufactured that way.

Getting back to the original question, I agree with Torsten that much depends on the context. For example, a dull sentence might be one that bores you. On the other hand, a blunt sentence is often one that will get your attention and stir up some emotion, interest or action.

blunt
dull
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Molly]

onelook.com/?w=dull&ls=a
onelook.com/?w=blunt&loc=scworef&scwo=1&ls=a

[Torsten]

So what is the difference between a blunt knife and a dull knife?

TOEIC listening, photographs: Business team

[Yankee]

.
Personally, I would tend use the word 'dull' for a knife that had lost its sharpness, and I might use 'blunt' to refer to a knife that is designed primarily to do something other than cut. A butter knife might be said to be 'blunt', for example.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Inga]

Some examples:
1) Sharpen all your blunt knives. a blunt pencil, I cut myself shaving with a blunt razor. It's difficult to achieve a good result if you use blunt tools. Police say the victim was hit with a blunt instrument, possibly a hammer.
2) Here, use this knife - that one's dull. - I can't feel any difference here.
But in other meanings of these words I agree with Yankee:a dull sentence might be one that bores you. On the other hand, a blunt sentence is often one that will get your attention and stir up some emotion, interest or action.
_________________
I am an incurable optimist.

[Molly]

[Yankee]

.
I agree.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln