surly
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.
Beca is a surly delinquent of questionable judgment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
I recommend having a ‘go box’ for when you slip these surly bonds of earth.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025
As a surly, teenage combination of self-aggrandizement and self-doubt, she is the instantly recognizable character that makes the rest of the world believable.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2025
That said, it was adorably quaint to see the recent midseason cliffhanger brawl be kicked off by a surly Russian sensei that resembles Zangief from “Street Fighter.”
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2025
Stouthearted, surly, and wholly unpredictable, the deweys remained a mystery not only during all of their lives in Medallion but after as well.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
Vocabulary lists containing surly
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7
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