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
-
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
-
Savanna Branham was in sixth grade when her voice became hoarse and would not improve She was diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, which causes recurring tumors to grow on the vocal cords.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boat can easily accommodate a dozen guests, thanks to the abundant seating, including a rear-facing lounge at the stern and bow lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Athena, who was born in April, is a shepsky mix, half husky and half German shepherd.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
One of Lipa’s most significant attributes is the husky tone of her mezzo-soprano, lending a gritty roughness to her songs’ pop polish.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a grim prospect—but then, in Venezuela, yesterday’s grimmest prospects become tomorrow’s headlines with dreadful regularity.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Controversy follows Cheney While Cheney's disposition was never particularly sunny, critics assailed the vice president as a relentlessly grim figure.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Kingpin is one of its offerings this year, an intimidating V-8 monster that makes over 800 horsepower and is blacked out.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The podcast is meant to do some of the bedtime planning for parents, taking an intimidating task off their plate.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some nearby residents, including Sue Weston — the owner of Weston Gardens in Bloom, a historic garden located on Anglin Drive — have expressed fierce opposition to the data center.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
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Last year, the governor tried to increase the number of in-office days to four only to face fierce resistance from his employees and their labor representatives.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And, importantly, that now-familiar reliable, rugged push.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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For instance, it is equipped with a four-wheel independent drive system, providing maximum mobility across complex and rugged terrain.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There are guns, horses, ghosts, a primal struggle for survival in hostile terrain, family feuds and a steadily intensifying sense of mortal threat, as Old Porch’s ambition and psychopathy escalate the drama.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Fire department suffering low morale When Washington was fired, City Manager Sheryl Long blamed him for creating a hostile work environment for female firefighters and for failing to improve the department's workplace culture.—
Aaron Valdez,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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