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
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.
—
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Over the ensuing decades, Duvall had numerous other memorable turns as tough guys, gruff mentors and men seeking redemption.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Also present was the gruff playwright.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Over the ensuing decades, Duvall had numerous other memorable turns as tough guys, gruff mentors and men seeking redemption.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Also present was the gruff playwright.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruff
Adjective
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The quality of a live show, especially one from a legacy band like Journey, comes down to whether the fans leave satisfied: If diehards and casuals alike walk out of the building with grins and hoarse voices from singing along to the big numbers, that’s a successful outing.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
18 Mar. 2026
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Tears have been shed, throats have been screamed hoarse.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Now, the historic oil crisis triggered by the United States and Israel’s war on Iran is posing the sternest test to date of China’s Promethean effort toward energy self-sufficiency.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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The cast is a murderers row of British actors, and the twisting plot of the novel is full of introspection and doubt, which makes for a tight 127 minutes of shocking revelations told through stern and troubled looks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In juvenile court Monday, as the teenager with a husky build and beard sat at the defendant’s table, Judge Christopher Van Meir ruled that the teen would remain in custody at least until the next court hearing, scheduled for April 27.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Several husky owners echoed how quickly the screams can escalate.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The seafarer who spoke to ABC News described a grim scene currently of ships drifting with little direction, and listening on the ship-to-ship communication systems called the VHF line -- accounts of crews growing desperate for basic provisions, and some begging to go home.—
Desiree Adib,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the roughly 800-mile front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The presence of guns and military personnel could create an intimidating atmosphere during elections, Chatterjay said.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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Ted Danson recalled an intimidating first encounter with former President Bill Clinton and his Secret Service detail during an early date with his now-wife, Mary Steenburgen.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Ganesh’s exit from the show was announced earlier this month, sparking a fierce wave of pushback from fans of the HBO show.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Apr. 2026
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That sum would amount to more than 10 times what President Obama released to Iran under a 2015 nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that was the subject of fierce Republican criticism in the decade since.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Netflix’s bracingly nasty action-thriller Apex is a fine addition, plonking the star down in a rugged Australian landscape and throwing nature’s formidable might at her while stirring a psychotic serial killer into the mix.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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For Grylls, however, the attire is a uniform for a job that bridges the gap between A-list glamour and rugged human experience.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On Tuesday a civil jury concluded that Lodes resigned involuntarily due to his reporting of a hostile workplace and was awarded the multimillion-dollar payment as compensation for his emotional damages.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit claims Mavromatis experienced retaliatory consequences for raising concerns about the harassment and hostile work environment.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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