1
as in brusquely
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in grimly
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruffly
Adverb
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The veil having been brusquely lifted from his eyes, Blair eventually left the service.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025 -
Gina remains loyal to Amy, who has at times treated her friend brusquely.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Rose Byrne is earning acclaim for her turn in Mary Bronstein's harrowing (and grimly funny) film.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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The count of New Yorkers who had died outdoors ticked grimly upward, passing fifteen and then twenty.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The Yangs were called in and curtly told the judgment was being overturned, their lawsuit dismissed without trial.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Showrunner Bruce Miller says the series is rooted firmly in the television universe fans already know — not a straight adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
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For Farah, who says he was firmly convinced by his Age of Disclosure documentary participants, the real-world disclosure movement and the pop cultural side naturally travel hand in hand.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Should physical shortages emerge, Dhar said prices may have to rise sharply to curb demand, particularly in developing economies.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
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This promotion comes as gas prices have risen sharply following the start of the war with Iran.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The resolution is strongly worded but also filled with caveats — noting that the district will comply with contracting and procurement laws.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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While Lamont and gun safety advocates strongly favor the bill, supporters of the Second Amendment are pushing back.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The programming shapes a unique, electromagnetic wave that rises and falls abruptly and pulses rapidly.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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About two weeks earlier, the use of a military laser system by CBP designed to disrupt drones near El Paso prompted the FAA to abruptly shut down a large swath of airspace up to 18,000 feet over the city for 10 days.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Though his injuries were severe, the sailors watched in wonder as the cat determinedly licked his wounds, then got back to work destroying the rats threatening the ship’s food stores.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
18 Feb. 2026
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Carreras scored the crucial opening goal, determinedly driving into the box and finishing in an individual flourish that unlocked the match in the 65th minute.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Gruffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruffly. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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