gruff
adjective
low and harsh; hoarse.
gruffness
-
a word derived from
gruff.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“After all these years of gruffness … I’ve changed,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2025
Valentina's gruffness is a rough mosaic combining her wish to have her orders followed and her desire to be left alone.
From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2022
I imagine Marshall peering down at counsel and interjecting, with his trademark gruffness: “You have got to be kidding me.”
From Washington Post ● Oct. 25, 2022
With his signature gruffness, Grassley acknowledges his age is “one of the reasons that I’ve put off making the decision until later on.”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 9, 2021
Wash deepened his voice and gave it the gruffness and urgency that were his father’s signature.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
