1
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
she had a gruff speaking voice, but a surprisingly sweet singing voice
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gruff
Audiences can often sense the corporate overlords’ gruff hands pushing these previously distinct programs together.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025
Their gruff cheers mismatched the high-pitched hum of the buggies.
—William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Dan Hedaya sets the gold-medal standard for gruff dads in Nineties teen movies.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
On the other hand, the 73-year-old Belichick’s gruff persona, with his monosyllabic utterances at news conferences, has become the stuff of legend.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025
Their gruff cheers mismatched the high-pitched hum of the buggies.
—William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Dan Hedaya sets the gold-medal standard for gruff dads in Nineties teen movies.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
On the other hand, the 73-year-old Belichick’s gruff persona, with his monosyllabic utterances at news conferences, has become the stuff of legend.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruff
Adjective
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For most of his first 10 songs, Costello’s singing was ragged and hoarse.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Screamed himself hoarse and still tried calling for his brother.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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However, the slow collision of Ray’s two worlds unfolds with the stern casualness of two business acquaintances meeting for dinner.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 July 2025
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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The 2006 adventure film revolves around a team of husky sled dogs struggling to survive in Antarctica after a devastating snowstorm—and Ilardi quickly realized that Atlas was paying attention.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
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Now, at only 23 years old, he's gone viral for his warm, husky voice and his Noah Kahan meets Zach Bryan country-folk sound.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The two have one of the fiercest rivals in college football known as the Iron Bowl.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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He’s also ruled out the Chinese mainland due to fierce competition, entrenched EV incumbents, and a power grid so advanced that ultra-fast charging is widely available—making battery swapping largely unnecessary.—
Clay Chandler,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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While McArthur was being interviewed by investigators, search teams made a grim discovery: a portion of a human skull was found sticking out of the ground, encased in concrete and potting soil.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
19 July 2025
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The grim task, using strategies including hand-sifting and specific diving techniques, is expected to drag on for months.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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The Cyclades are famed for postcard-perfect sunsets—while Crete offers rugged gorges and myth-laden palaces.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Made from rugged canvas, the shell will last a lifetime.—
Christopher Murray
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FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Recently, Altra added low drop shoes to its offerings, which can be less intimidating that flat, zero-drop shoes for beginners.—
Lauren Wingenroth,
SELF,
25 July 2025
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Being diagnosed with a rheumatic disease is a life-altering experience that can feel overwhelming and intimidating.—
Chloe Castleberry,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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