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Definitions

gruff

[gruhf] / grʌf /




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.

See Examples For:

As Morrison jammed in the kitchen, Hansard said his request for one of his songs was met with a gruff response from Morrison.

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

But that didn’t stop voters from embracing it, giving the show 19 nominations, including one for Dickey’s turn as the gruff town hall worker who is the Spielberg of overhead projector presentations.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 8, 2026

Senate, the gruff oysterman opened with a joke.

From Slate Jul. 7, 2026

Even the formidable C. Aubrey Smith, as the gruff chairman of Colet & Cie., never crosses her directly.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 10, 2026

"They're young. Think they're gonna live forever," replied a gruff, second voice.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Dad was gruffer, but still avoided saying it outright.

From Slate May 29, 2018

Their melodious deliveries was were complimented by the gruffer voice and more theatrical likes of Dixon.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 2, 2018

“There was a handful of people here for something yesterday,” says the voice, which seems to be getting gruffer.

From Washington Post Feb. 7, 2018

Tanto is louder, Oz is gruffer, Rone is an old friend of Jack's from past tours of duty.

From The Verge Jan. 14, 2016

This time the question was gruffer, like gravel scraping along rusted metal.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Possessing one of the sharpest minds in the business, Prince was one of its gruffest truth-tellers.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 31, 2019

Here bringing heart to what could be a harsh cad, in even his his gruffest, roughest performances, Finney always found an emotional center that allowed audiences in.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 8, 2019

“Loving you is complicated,” he announces, in his gruffest tone: the “you” is himself, hip-hop, and his own success.

From The New Yorker Mar. 18, 2015

Mr. Bradlee looked up from his omnipresent crossword puzzle, “and in his gruffest voice,” Pincus recalled, “he said, ‘You ought to be paying me for all the fun you’re having.’ ”

From Washington Post

"Very well, mum," replied Grover in her gruffest tones, which were very gruff indeed.

From The Daughter Pays by Mrs. Baillie Reynolds




Vocabulary lists containing gruff


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