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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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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Recent Examples of surly
The Sum of a Career in Spaceflight Schirra had announced his plans to retire from NASA before the Apollo 7 flight, and a successful (if surly) mission, topped off with an Emmy Award and a Deep Draft Command certificate, wasn’t a bad way to wrap up a nine-year career at the agency.
—
Kiona N. Smith, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
The Pacific Northwest, which has played host to a series of surly atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone in recent days, should finally quiet down, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys told USA TODAY on Sunday as that national weather picture for the holiday grew sharper.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
Greg and Tanya show up in Season 2, after the surly Greg insisted on a Sicilian trip.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Gardner laid down a vocal for it, caught up in the story’s surly sarcasm.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surly
Kiona N. Smith, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
The Pacific Northwest, which has played host to a series of surly atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone in recent days, should finally quiet down, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys told USA TODAY on Sunday as that national weather picture for the holiday grew sharper.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
Greg and Tanya show up in Season 2, after the surly Greg insisted on a Sicilian trip.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Gardner laid down a vocal for it, caught up in the story’s surly sarcasm.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surly
Adjective
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It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The days’ loss was evident in his sullen expression, but his presence indicated his desire to play before Arniel confirmed it.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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For the Canucks, however, and for their fans, there’s no time to be sullen about Tocchet’s decision.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Democrats were particularly angry about a last-minute Republican amendment that allowed the sale of huge chunks of public land in Nevada and Utah.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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If an extended trade war with China leads to higher prices and shortages of key goods for Americans, an angry public could throw out some Republicans, handing control of the House and even possibly the Senate to Democrats.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Playing Dawn Summers, Trachtenberg joined the show in 2000, as Buffy's younger sister, who was at times bratty, sulky, and a bit of a klutz — but nonetheless offered a new and exciting sibling dynamic for the show to explore.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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Horse race At the harness racing week on the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey: a reverse race with the sulky fixed in front of the horse - 1930.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In time, Ian started laughing at other things too: stories Eve made up about a cantankerous Russian named Boris, the word debris, pots clanging, keys jangling.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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Oldman’s performance in the show has been widely praised and he’s earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for playing the cantankerous head of Slough House, Jackson Lamb.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the Pocket Blush is known for delivering gorgeous flushed cheeks in seconds, the Peptide Lip Shape is a recent favorite for perfectly contoured pouty lips.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
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Johansen had the sharp, pouty features of Mick Jagger, but the sneer and savvy of his hometown.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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An ornery Ball Arena audience erupted when its team somehow grasped a 71-69 lead.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
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Image Our collective longing to connect with animals is evident in the viral popularity of animal celebrities on social media — who can resist Pesto the chubby baby king penguin, Hua Hua the panda or Moo Deng, the ornery baby pygmy hippo?—
Alexandra Alter,
New York Times,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Befriending Cressida Cowper is a respectable exercise in recognizing biases, but the pair’s interactions are as disagreeable as those bangs.—
Zoe Haylock,
Vulture,
16 May 2024
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If Alex has a bit more credibility, not being as intractable in her positions, both have a tendency to come off as disagreeable in their incessant bickering and self-righteousness.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surly. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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