Definition of GRUFF

Choose the Right Synonym for gruff

Adjective

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner. bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality. a bluff manner blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings. a blunt appraisal brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness. a brusque response curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness. a curt command crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness. a crusty exterior gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness. puts on a gruff pose

Examples of gruff in a Sentence

Adjective Don't be fooled by his gruff manner—he's really very kind. He spoke in a gruff voice.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Don Imus, 79 The gruff radio personality built a large, devoted following for his show, offering up angry humor and sharp views that knocked politicians on both the left and right. — oregonlive, "The departed: The stars, innovators and scoundrels, from Oregon and beyond, who died in 2019," 30 Dec. 2019 Why my kendo experience will stick with me My sensei, a jovial middle-aged man who wore a puffer vest and Minion socks, became a gruff Kendo master once his white armor was laced up. — Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY, "From rowing to kendo: Why I learn new sports on trips and you should, too," 31 Dec. 2019 Workers drilling into a mountain on the outskirts of a remote town unknowingly awaken an ancient force and the only person who knows how to stop the rampaging minions is Pietari, a quiet young boy who lives with his gruff hard-working father. — Joyce Bautista Ferrari, Marie Claire, "The 12 Best Holiday-Themed Horror Movies," 28 Nov. 2019 But even now, with three World Series rings and the fourth-best career ERA (3.13) among active pitchers — behind only Clayton Kershaw, Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale — Bumgarner hides a layer of humility beneath his gruff exterior. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Legacy of a Giant: How Madison Bumgarner made his mark over 10 years in SF," 27 Sep. 2019 Peter Fonda plays a lonely beekeeper with a persistent limp, a gruff demeanor and a lifetime’s worth of regrets. — Justin Chang, chicagotribune.com, "Appreciation: The Peter Fonda role we should be talking about isn’t ‘Easy Rider,’ but ‘Ulee’s Gold’," 18 Aug. 2019 Peter Fonda plays a lonely beekeeper with a persistent limp, a gruff demeanor and a lifetime’s worth of regrets. — Justin Chang, chicagotribune.com, "Appreciation: The Peter Fonda role we should be talking about isn’t ‘Easy Rider,’ but ‘Ulee’s Gold’," 18 Aug. 2019 Gears 5 begins by focusing on JD, the son of badass gruff manly man Marcus Fenix, who was the protagonist of the first generation of games. — Wired, "Gears 5: A War Game That Really Deals with War Trauma," 5 Sep. 2019 Neville Chamberlain was ‘nice’ and people were aghast at Winston Churchill’s gruff demeanor. — Bob Sellers, Fortune, "Here’s What It Would Take to Get to ‘Win-Win’ With China on Trade, Experts Say," 1 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gruff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.