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
But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.
—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
As previously announced, 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,
12 May 2026
Apparently, the gruff fighter Johnny Cage wasn’t much of a match for the all-powerful Miranda Priestly.
—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.
—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
As previously announced, 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,
12 May 2026
Apparently, the gruff fighter Johnny Cage wasn’t much of a match for the all-powerful Miranda Priestly.
—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruff
Adjective
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Others walked home sunburned, hoarse and still dressed in blue and orange.
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During the debate, Joe Biden frequently lost his train of thought, stumbled over answers, and appeared hoarse, fueling concerns among voters and party leaders.
Adjective
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Judges have to throw the book at those arrested to teach them a stern lesson.
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However, for students graduating right now, Hammer can't really summon up anything stern to say.
Adjective
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This husky-border collie mix is one of Pebbles' seven new pet siblings.
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Bob Cary, tall and husky outdoor editor of the Chicago Daily News, was there with his family, staying at the lake’s only resort, where Vera and I also were staying.
Adjective
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The tragedy marks the first deaths for the US Wildland Fire Service, a grim milestone for the new federal agency, which launched in January to coordinate firefighting efforts on public land.
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While that’s a grim statistic, change is possible.
Adjective
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The caps, made from real bear skin, are a distinctive part of the military uniform, designed to make troops appear taller and more intimidating.
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The one witness everyone in the courtroom remembers was Watkins, an intimidating presence with the build of an NFL defensive tackle.
Adjective
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The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
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In the midst of the rugged match, Sweden lost one of its top players to a non-contact injury.
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The search for Gracie the giraffe, missing in Texas, hit its two-week mark on June 25 as the manager of her ranch is continuing to scour rugged terrain from the ground and sky.
Adjective
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And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change.
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For example, in March, the crypto exchange Kraken put its multibillion‑dollar IPO on hold amid hostile market conditions, according to CoinDesk.
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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