gruffly

adverb

Definition of grufflynext
1
as in brusquely

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in grimly

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gruffly Rose’s relationship with her father, too, is unusual in its unresolved jaggedness, while Sisto’s gruffly on-edge performance points to a deeper well of adult pain in Wes that his daughter cannot yet manage or comprehend. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026 Chief among the familiar faces is Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the stoic, gruffly professional explosives-disposal expert Major Will Tranter, who shows up at a construction site in the heart of London where an unexploded, 1,000-pound WWII bomb has just been found. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruffly
  1. brusquely
  2. grimly
  3. curtly
  4. firmly
  5. sharply
  6. strongly
  7. abruptly
  8. determinedly
Adverb
  • Yet, White House officials told me, Biden sometimes brusquely dismissed the views of both men, raising his voice as though berating children.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • In some instances, judges brusquely threw cases out of court after prosecutors walked in with little evidence.
    — Brian Rokos, Daily News, 7 May 2026
Definition of brusquely
Adverb
  • Gun purchases made in response to events have been shown, grimly, to lead to still more accidental gun deaths.
    — Vishal R. Patel, Time, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In the wake of the disaster, the survivors' roles are reversed in grimly funny ways.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026
Definition of grimly
Adverb
  • Juliette later makes a stop to see Shirley, who is still being unreasonably pouty about her amnesiac friend not remembering her — and is, again, curtly dismissive of Juliette’s search for Lukas.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • But Ruben curtly responds that the only real homophobe is Niall himself.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026
Definition of curtly
Adverb
  • Puka’s possible suspension combined with his tender groin pushes Chase firmly ahead.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a onetime battleground state that has shifted firmly to the right, FloridaDemocrats took dueling approaches to win statewide for the first time since 2018.
    — Teo Armus, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • Heavy rain can sharply reduce visibility and create dangerous road conditions even before flooding begins.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Israel sharply criticized the UK after London voiced opposition to the Jewish state’s support for settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latest in a series of rows with once strong Western allies.
    — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharply
Adverb
  • For the record, Duffy has strongly disclaimed any interest in the White House, which is, after all, just a bunch of boring grownups talking.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
  • While Mundo Deportivo later reported Balde was motivated to fight for his place, his omission from the squad now strongly indicates an exit.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • At a virtual town hall meeting, Navy families who abruptly evacuated from Bahrain six months ago had many questions.
    — Steve Walsh, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of abruptly
Adverb
  • Poor Frank and Kirsten look on confused, determinedly polite in their insistence that all family members should be welcome.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • The few street names in Happy Haven were determinedly upbeat, with Christian undertones.
    — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Definition of determinedly

Browse Nearby Words

gruff
gruffly
gruffness
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Cite this Entry

“Gruffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruffly. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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