Synonyms for gruff
grʌfgruff

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. gruff

   The sullen and sulky are discontented and resentful in regard to that against which they are too proud to protest, or consider all protest vain; sullen denotes more of pride, sulky more of resentful obstinacy. The morose are bitterly dissatisfied with the world in general, and disposed to vent their ill nature upon others. The sullen and sulky are for the most part silent; the morose growl out bitter speeches. A surly person is in a state of latent anger, resenting approach as intrusion, and ready to take offense at anything; thus we speak of a surly dog. Sullen and sulky moods may be transitory; one who is morose or surly is commonly so by disposition or habit.

   Synonyms:
   acrimonious, churlish, crabbed, crusty, dogged, gloomy, ill-humored, ill-natured, morose, severe, snappish, sour, splenetic, sulky, sullen, surly

   Antonyms:
   amiable, benignant, bland, complaisant, friendly, genial, gentle, good-natured, indulgent, kind, loving, mild, pleasant, sympathetic, tender

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. gruff

   Synonyms:
   rough, surly, bearish, harsh, rude, blunt

   Antonyms:
   smooth, mild, affable, courteous

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. crusty, curmudgeonly, gruff, ill-humored, ill-humouredadjective

   brusque and surly and forbidding

   "crusty remarks"; "a crusty old man"; "his curmudgeonly temper"; "gruff manner"; "a gruff reply"

   Synonyms:
   ill-humored, crusty, encrusted, crustlike, husky, hoarse, ill-humoured, crusted, curmudgeonly

   Antonyms:
   euphonous, euphonious, good-natured

2. gruff, hoarse, huskyadjective

   deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

   "gruff voices"; "the dog's gruff barking"; "hoarse cries"; "makes all the instruments sound powerful but husky"- Virgil Thomson

   Synonyms:
   ill-humored, burly, buirdly, crusty, husky, strapping, beefy, ill-humoured, hoarse, curmudgeonly

   Antonyms:
   good-natured, euphonious, euphonous

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. gruffadjective

   Synonyms:
   rough, churlish, rude, uncivil, uncourteous, ungracious, impolite, bluff, blunt, harsh, BRUSQUE

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

1. gruffadjective

   Synonyms:
   ungracious, brusque, surly, rude, impolite, stern

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How to use gruff in a sentence?

1. Richard Tarrant:

   His style is a little gruff. You can poke at him and get him angry, but he's good at rolling out of it, he's got numbers, he's got facts, and if he gets caught by surprise he'll shift really quickly to his stump message. I don't think Hillary stands a chance against him.

2. Mike King:

   I carried on, and said, ‘I’m OK, and now I’ve got this excuse to be a mean, gruff sergeant.

3. Mike Huckabee:

   She grew up pretty doggone tough. She had to, as a matter of survival, she’s got a very sweet heart, but she’s tough, and she can handle herself. She’s had to take all kinds of gruff from her brothers, so she’s pretty fearless.