as in sulkiness
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Recent Examples of surliness
The Dolphins knew in the spring that Jalen Ramsey’s tardiness and surliness did not fit the culture that the organization wanted to build.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surliness
Noun
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So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Sep. 2025
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In an obvious display of childish petulance, a significant number of Democratic representatives in Texas abandoned their jobs and responsibilities to the voters by fleeing to Illinois.—
For the Carroll County Times,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During withdrawal from a substance, people feel profound emotional discomfort, including sadness and irritability.—
Claire Wilcox,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
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Even for those without diabetes, blood sugar swings can lead to fatigue, hunger, irritability and cravings, experts say, but a few smart swaps plus timing your meals strategically can help keep blood sugar steady.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The most common symptoms of teething include drooling, putting fingers or fists in their mouth, swollen or puffy gums, difficulty sleeping, crankiness and fussiness, per the institution.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
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At one point, her crankiness about being underappreciated for her domestic efforts is blamed, without irony, on her period.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Corbett said the testiness started in Florida and returned with the team to Charlotte.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On social media, Tan was pugilistic to the point of belligerence, casting his political enemies as corrupt malefactors responsible for the despoliation of his beloved city.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
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The encounter by Canadian aircraft monitoring these vessels with Chinese aircraft points to both Beijing’s backing of the secretive state and its belligerence in the wider region.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surliness. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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