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.
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For someone whose notoriety has twice become inseparable from who he’s married to, Pitt’s choice to play gruff loners feels noticeably calculated, keeping an arm’s distance between his work and the audience.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026
Initially introduced as a gruff wild man without much regard for the law, Davenport eventually settled into a loyal, fun-loving “honorary Duke” beloved by fans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
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
Senate, the gruff oysterman opened with a joke.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
It took only a few gruff words from our landlady to snuff out that candle of joy shining within me.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
“From Day 1, we’ve always run away from whatever record we just finished,” he says, gruffer and more matter-of-fact than his brother.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2021
Dad was gruffer, but still avoided saying it outright.
From Slate ● May 29, 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
Bob Knight, his mentor long ago, is older and gruffer.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 26, 2013
It comes out gruffer than I intend on account of my spanking new voice.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
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
“Struck color?” inquired Minky, with his gruffest cordiality.
From The Twins of Suffering Creek by Ridgwell Cullum
Vocabulary lists containing gruff
100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon
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Auggie & Me
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