Synonyms of gruff

gruff

adjective

ˈgrəf 

1

as in hoarse

harsh and dry in sound

she had a gruff speaking voice, but a surprisingly sweet singing voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hoarse
• husky
• gravelly
• raspy
• throaty
• rusty
• coarse
• scratchy
• croaky
• rasping
• gravel
• grating
• croaking
• guttural
• abrasive
• growling
• choked
• strained
• rough
• strident
• growly
• raucous
• strangled
• jarring
• scratching
• cacophonous
• scraping
• discordant
• cracked
• grinding
• dissonant
• unmusical
• inharmonious
• screeching
• squawking
• unmelodious
• cawing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• sweet
• mellow
• golden
• liquid
• soothing
• mellifluous
• tender
• smooth
• soft
• velvety
• silken
• mellifluent
• musical
• satiny
• melodic
• lyrical
• gliding
• melodious
• lyric
• euphonious

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stern
• fierce
• grim
• rugged
• intimidating
• hostile
• rough
• forbidding
• bleak
• severe
• stark
• dour
• flinty
• steely
• hardened
• stubborn
• austere
• cold
• lowering
• somber
• ungentle
• dark
• moody
• louring
• black
• solemn
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• stiff
• resolute
• inhospitable
• steadfast
• unflinching
• adamant
• implacable
• determined
• rigid
• obstinate
• surly
• uncompromising
• sullen
• unbending
• obdurate
• unyielding
• inimical
• wilful
• unrelenting
• willful
• serious
• hardheaded
• bound
• inflexible
• purposeful
• morose
• sulky
• resolved
• melancholy
• firm
• immovable
• humorless
• fixed
• unsmiling
• intent
• hard
• melancholic
• sombre
• brooding
• cheerless
• unchangeable
• gloomy
• mulish
• glum
• immutable
• joyless
• staid
• sober
• grave
• self-willed
• ironhanded
• weighty
• set
• sobersided

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• mild
• benign
• soft
• meek
• tender
• mellow
• bland
• quiet
• benignant
• soothing
• easy
• sweet
• cheerful
• pleasant
• tranquil
• agreeable
• bright
• nonintimidating
• happy
• pleasing
• glad
• lighthearted
• merry
• inviting
• playful
• mirthful
• goofy
• sunny
• silly
• frivolous
• giddy
• scatterbrained
• flighty
• harebrained
• featherbrained
• light-headed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word gruff distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of gruff are bluff, blunt, brusque, crusty, and curt. While all these words mean "abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner," gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

When is bluff a more appropriate choice than gruff?

While the synonyms bluff and gruff are close in meaning, bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

In what contexts can blunt take the place of gruff?

While in some cases nearly identical to gruff, blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

When could brusque be used to replace gruff?

The meanings of brusque and gruff largely overlap; however, brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

When would crusty be a good substitute for gruff?

Although the words crusty and gruff have much in common, crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

When might curt be a better fit than gruff?

The synonyms curt and gruff are sometimes interchangeable, but curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gruff

Explore Ray Vaughn See latest videos, charts and news As Vaughn settles in the second time around, his voice is gruff, worn from rapping, recording, interviewing, and flat-out existing. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025

Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 May 2025

Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic. —Air Mail, 17 May 2025

Especially watching Linklater—who’s giving by far the most compelling performance in the production—coming to gruff, aggrieved life by degrees. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2025