Need another word for Gruff? Use these synonyms of Gruff from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
brusque
curt
blunt
rough
harsh
gruffly
rude
brash
crude
coarse
abrupt
curtly
short
sharp
snappish
peppery
irascible
testy
touchy
cranky
cantankerous
ill-tempered
surly
sullen
sulky
morose
gloomy
dour
stern
severe
austere
rough-hewn
unpolished
unrefined
rude
uncouth
ungentlemanly
bluff
bluntly
forthright
downright
outright
straight
straightforward
direct
frank
candid
plain
straightforwardly
openly
honestly
directly
Meaning of Gruff
having a rough or harsh quality, especially in one's voice or manner
Definitions
- Having a rough or harsh quality, especially in one's voice or manner
- * (of a person) rough or harsh in manner or voice
- * (of a sound or voice) rough and harsh
Etymology of Gruff
The word "gruff" has its origins in the late 16th century, derived from the obsolete word "gruf", which meant "coarse" or " rough"
The term is possibly related to the Middle English word "grufen", which meant "to grumble" or "to complain"
Over time, the word "gruff" has evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to roughness, harshness, or coarseness, particularly in relation to voice or manner
Example Uses
- The gruff old man shouted at the kids to get off his lawn
- * Her gruff demeanor hid a kind heart
- * The gruff voice on the phone demanded to speak to the manager