gruff
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- surly, bad-tempered, brusque, churlish, grumpy, rough, rude, sullen, ungracious
- hoarse, croaking, guttural, harsh, husky, low, rasping, rough, throaty

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Contrasted words: bland, smooth, suave, urbane, fulsome, oily, slick, soapy, unctuous
Related Words: crabbed, dour, morose, saturnine, sullen, surly, boorish, churlish, fierce, truculent

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

gruff /ɡrʌf/ adjective
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Dutch; Origin: grof]
speaking in a rough unfriendly voice:
His manner can be rather gruff.
a gruff reply
His voice became gruff.
—gruffly adverb
—gruffness noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲