surly
churlishly rude or bad-tempered: a surly waiter.
unfriendly or hostile; menacingly irritable: a surly old lion.
dark or dismal; menacing; threatening: a surly sky.
Obsolete. lordly; arrogant.
Origin of surly
1synonym study For surly
Other words for surly
Other words from surly
- sur·li·ly, adverb
- sur·li·ness, noun
- un·sur·li·ly, adverb
- un·sur·li·ness, noun
- un·sur·ly, adjective
Words Nearby surly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use surly in a sentence
Some days it’s a little bit surly at first—it’s hard to wake it up.
Brain implants could be the next computer mouse | Antonio Regalado | October 27, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewCramped seats, mask requirements and surly service aren’t the worst part of international airline travel.
Cole flirts with selling drugs, but as it turns out, he has a way with horses, most notably a surly creature known as Boo.
Idris Elba Brings a Regal Urban Cowboy to Life in Concrete Cowboy | Stephanie Zacharek | April 2, 2021 | TimeHousebound’s surly protagonist is fed up with her house arrest from day one.
One Good Thing: Housebound is the perfect horror comedy for the perpetually quarantined | Aja Romano | December 31, 2020 | VoxEven now, the GOP still polls less well than the Democratic Party with a surly electorate.
To Make Their Victory Durable, the GOP Must Fix the Minimum Wage | Dmitri Mehlhorn | November 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
So, Dean picks Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), a dorky, surly art student.
‘She’s All That' 15th Anniversary: Cast and Crew Reminisce About the Making of the ‘90s Classic | Marlow Stern | January 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNo word on if this outrageous sum, which Stewart raised for Hurricane Sandy relief, merited a smile from the famously surly star.
Eastwood’s Wife Files for Separation; Stewart Charges $500K for Appearance | Culture Team | September 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThis was a guy so surly and grim that he made Tommy Lee Jones look like SpongeBob SquarePants.
Obama’s Phony Bipartisan Pick: Chuck Hagel for Defense | Matt Latimer | January 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was a bit like watching a surly jazz musician, channeling Miles Davis, take the stage.
He had no other opportunity; for the Jew remained very surly and silent till night, when he prepared to go abroad.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensThe stern officer gave a surly refusal, replying, "My orders are to take you first."
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. AbbottMr. Clatt was not visible, but left his cottage at Isabel's call, and gave them something more than his usual surly greeting.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonThe shop officer has repeatedly warned me against my disrespectful and surly manner.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander BerkmanI reached Bernay to breakfast, and, for the first time in France, met with a surly host and a sour hostess.
British Dictionary definitions for surly
/ (ˈsɜːlɪ) /
sullenly ill-tempered or rude
(of an animal) ill-tempered or refractory
dismal
obsolete arrogant
Origin of surly
1Derived forms of surly
- surlily, adverb
- surliness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse