1
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
she had a gruff speaking voice, but a surprisingly sweet singing voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stern
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
I didn't exchange one word with the gruff mountaineer who sat next to me in the diner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gruff
In the text, a group of gruff men at a bar finds connection by baring their souls in an impromptu singing competition.
—
William Earl, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
Patterson was hired in a guest role as the gruff diner owner with a heart of gold, Luke Danes.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
With gruff vocals, intensely honest lyrics and compositions that range from messy alt-rock to grungy folk, Maeson's album, and captivating live show, brings listeners into his head and home.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
William Earl, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
Patterson was hired in a guest role as the gruff diner owner with a heart of gold, Luke Danes.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
With gruff vocals, intensely honest lyrics and compositions that range from messy alt-rock to grungy folk, Maeson's album, and captivating live show, brings listeners into his head and home.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruff
Adjective
-
One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
November 17, 2025 What To Know During an Oval Office meeting focused primarily on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump sounded hoarse when speaking with reporters and officials.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In the video, Caleb said wearing a stern facial expression.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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Serious, even stern, Douglas was highly principled, fiercely uncompromising and personally brave.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The team can help plan reindeer and husky rides, reindeer farm visits, snowmobiles tours across the area’s fells and taiga forests, or Aurora-chasing tours, guided by local experts.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
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Something had pulled it out of the tree, breaking off the husky limb on which it was tied.—
William J. McRae,
Outdoor Life,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Job prospects for 2026 are looking grim in many ways.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Tempted but reluctant to fork out the money, Hana runs some tests on the drug, and finds — in what one hopes is just a grim horror-film twist — that its composition comes down pretty much entirely to human ashes.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Because a microneedle infusion device can feel more intimidating than a simple serum, Mon Lumière prioritizes education and reassurance.—
William Jones
January 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
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Closet organization is often seen as an intimidating, hours-long task that can feel redundant once the mess piles back up again.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Competition remains fierce in the Charlotte region to grab a piece of the lucrative grocery market share.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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But long before the fire destroyed a broad section of the San Gabriel Valley community, a small but fierce army of people devoted themselves to others who were without a home.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Excavators working at a rugged eastern Oregon ranch recently uncovered evidence of Chinese immigrants working as cowboys — a role rarely associated with the American West.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Inspired by Montana’s rugged landscape, Grant Achatz of Michelin two-star Alinea in Chicago chose Big Sky for his restaurant’s 20th-anniversary world tour (Tokyo, Beverly Hills, Brooklyn, and Miami were also stops).—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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The broader goal, Rubio said, is a prosperous Venezuela aligned with the United States and no longer serving as a hub for hostile foreign powers.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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