1
as in hoarse
harsh and dry in sound
she had a gruff speaking voice, but a surprisingly sweet singing voice
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2
as in stern
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
I didn't exchange one word with the gruff mountaineer who sat next to me in the diner
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gruff
Despite a gruff exterior that chased some would-be photographers away, Lipack changed the lives of many who stuck it out.
—
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure
A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold
Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure
A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold
Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gruff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gruff
Adjective
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As the speech came to an end, Booker’s voice was hoarse, but his resolve was unshaken.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
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By now, many economists are hoarse screaming that higher tariffs and a trade war will raise prices and hurt the U.S. economy.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Raid 2, for instance, a two and a half hour crime and punishment epic, boils down to one man’s struggle to win the approval of his stern father; whether this is significant to Evans’ life or not, the motif nonetheless transitions cleanly into Havoc.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has issued a stern warning about a predatory fish that can grow up to 3 feet long, slither across land and breathe air.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In a viral TikTok video, a Siberian husky puppy is filmed meeting a kitten for the very first time in his life, and his heartening reaction to the feline has quickly turned him into a social-media sensation.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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In a viral TikTok video, a Siberian husky puppy is filmed meeting a kitten for the very first time in his life, and his heartening reaction to the feline has quickly turned him into a social-media sensation.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Melania Trump has courted controversy, garnered attention for her fashion Trump's fashion choices are the subject of fierce controversy and constant attention.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Seven new projects debut on the 15-spot roster, making competition surprisingly fierce.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His grim work handling dead sheep gives the movie its title, but little time is actually spent at Stan’s job.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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One such fragment of the original George III statue, found in a swamp in Connecticut, will be part of the Museum of the City of New York’s 250th-anniversary exhibition, spotlighting the grim period between that celebratory moment and the departure of British forces in 1783.—
John Hanc,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Nestled against a mountainside in the rugged Alatau region surrounding Almaty, Kazakhstan, Mazhitova’s home is indeed singular, bringing to mind the cavelike villas designed by maverick French architect Jacques Couëlle in the 1950s and ’60s, or the rustic dwellings of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.—
Amy Bradford,
Architectural Digest,
3 May 2025
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That won’t necessarily solve the spacing issues on the offensive end, but Looney is often Kerr’s counter in rugged environments and could help shore up the defensive issues that are becoming more troubling.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Adding to her distress was her struggle with social anxiety, which made the idea of spending long hours with acquaintances and distant relatives even more intimidating.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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Not just last year’s numbers with an extra 20% thrown on top, but something truly inspiring, maybe even a little intimidating?—
Ryan Brinkhurst,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s aggressive targeting of major law firms, many of which have advocated liberal policy positions and clients, also marks a striking new front in his second-term legal battles, as the administration pressures firms seen as politically hostile or unwilling to back its agenda.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
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Russia will accrue enormous economic benefits if the United States facilitates its reentry into the world economy, generating revenue that will go directly to rebuilding its military, funding hostile intelligence operations and propping up a regime that’s never far from its next military adventure.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gruff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gruff. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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