gruff

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her stamina impresses her manager, Greg, a gruff gay man who tells her about the gay club in town, where she meets Tina, the woman who teaches her acceptance through unconditional love.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

He stays gruff, of course, but you sense that Ray is as manacled by his authoritarian role as Colin literally is in his hungry, slurping devotion to his master.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, a gruff and muscular career security officer, took charge of the agency soon after Russia invaded in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Carpenter is a gruff but approachable 77 these days, his career as a film director receding in the rearview.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

He’d offer up a gruff apology and they’d do what they’d always done—adapt.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss