gruff
adjective, gruff·er, gruff·est.
Origin of gruff
Synonyms for gruff
Antonyms for gruff
Related Words for gruff
dour, crusty, offhand, brusque, surly, boisterous, grumpy, blunt, nasty, throaty, abrupt, boorish, churlish, crabby, crude, curt, discourteous, fierce, grouchy, ill-naturedExamples from the Web for gruff
Contemporary Examples of gruff
To the hordes who wanted time with Lincoln, the gruff and efficient Nicolay was the “grim enforcer.”
Bichir manages to be gruff but sensitive, honest yet mysterious, making Ruiz a mix of righteousness and compassion.
He has played the gruff detective from 1987 to 2000 on Morse and from 2006 to the present on Inspector Lewis.
Meet ‘Inspector Lewis’: Kevin Whately on ‘Morse,’ John Thaw, and the End of the SeriesJace Lacob
June 14, 2013
Jamie Dimon, the gruff, silver-haired chief executive officer and chairman of JPMorgan Chase, is facing an unlikely challenge.
Even her husband, a gruff French surgeon who is more “Tiger Mom” than doting dad, thought the email was a bit curt.
Historical Examples of gruff
“Seventeen, an it please your grace,” said Stephen, in the gruff voice of his age.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
I could hear the voice of a woman and then the gruff tones of a man.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
A gruff voice from the doorway broke harshly in upon a measure.
Meadow GrassAlice Brown
I want you to tell me why Mr Haredale—oh, how gruff he is again, to be sure!
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
Bismarck leaned over and in his gruff way asked, “Give me a match!”
Blood and IronJohn Hubert Greusel