1
as in pouting
given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability
went about his chores in a surly huff, totally annoyed that he was stuck at home on this beautiful Saturday
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
having or showing a habitually bad temper
the surly receptionist told us we'd have to wait outside in the rain
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surly
There’s an old line in baseball, applied to a player known for being surly with reporters begins to be more accessible when hanging on at the end of his career.
—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Our protagonist, the surly and depressed writer Ohm, has been stuck on the ending to his book series featuring a conquistador lost in the desert with a young companion and a map trapped inside a bottle.
—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Our protagonist, the surly and depressed writer Ohm, has been stuck on the ending to his book series featuring a conquistador lost in the desert with a young companion and a map trapped inside a bottle.
—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
According to ScreenRant, Silverman's surly character brings some comic relief to the new episodes.
—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surly
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Our protagonist, the surly and depressed writer Ohm, has been stuck on the ending to his book series featuring a conquistador lost in the desert with a young companion and a map trapped inside a bottle.
—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Our protagonist, the surly and depressed writer Ohm, has been stuck on the ending to his book series featuring a conquistador lost in the desert with a young companion and a map trapped inside a bottle.
—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
According to ScreenRant, Silverman's surly character brings some comic relief to the new episodes.
—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surly
Adjective
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The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
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Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
Adjective
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The Commission ultimately left it at 400 feet, prompting an intense reaction from the angry crowd.
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Some of the women who were angry contacted the SFMOMA not simply to share feedback, but to try to ensure Bahr could never work with the institution again.
Adjective
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Wilde’s Angela is expressive and antic; Rogen’s Joe is sullen and snarky.
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Now, in a more intimate setting, the sullen and sometimes-sarcastic shadings of this longtime singer-songwriter should hark back to Folds’ fledgling days on the alt-music scene.
Adjective
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Principle photography is underway in London, with Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum sharing his memories of contending with Winston’s cantankerous Tyrannosaurus Rex.
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Things seem to be going well; Lord Walder accepts Robb’s apology with cantankerous humor, and offers the Starks his full hospitality for the duration of the wedding.
Adjective
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Skillfully carrying the tale as Kimberly is Ann Morrison, marvelously placing the qualities of a bubbly when not sulky teen in the voice and body of an older woman.
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Keep an eye out for chartreuses, browns, and bright sky blues, along with sulky mauves and beiges in a plaster finish.
Adjective
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Leach also would publicly call out his players and could get ornery when questioned about his team’s shortcomings.
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The rabbi is ornery, arrogant, sometimes cruel.
Adjective
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While Jolie-Pitt's cameo in the teaser was only a few seconds long, her pouty lip and bright blue eyes unmistakably bore a striking resemblance to Jolie's.
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None of their full faces are shown — only close-ups of pouty lips, sleek updos, fierce manicures, etc.
Adjective
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There are also a lot of people who have never dreamed of being disagreeable in public, much less considered joining a raucous social movement.
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The disagreeable object proved no match for the most fertile person in Montana.
Cite this Entry
“Surly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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