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.
See Examples For:
The surly, brilliant, hip, fashionable Davis aspired to many things, but sainthood, even in jest, was not one of them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
It’s not hard to see why Platner is so surly in his 11-minute Wednesday video announcing that he would end his campaign.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2026
I recommend having a ‘go box’ for when you slip these surly bonds of earth.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 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
I was caffeine jittery and surly and perfectly capable of wasting his money.
From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
He was a surly, proud character who only got surlier and prouder in his old age.
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2020
As you enjoy your coq au vin this summer in a quaint Parisian bistro, you may find the staff even surlier than usual.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2014
After another pricey ride with an even surlier cab driver, our first night at Book Expo was drawing to a close.
From Time ● May 30, 2013
Even without the cachet of the Big Apple or the championship pedigree of at least one of the teams, Chicago’s intra-city rivalry may be the surlier of the two.
From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2011
So his take-home pay was getting smaller, and his mother, in turn, was getting surlier.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Or April 20, 1991, when the cast of “Saturday Night Live” had to put up with the surliest, unfunniest host in the show’s history: wooden action star Steven Seagal.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 5, 2021
The other is the latest, and perhaps surliest, entry in the crowded field of shows about teens trying to fit in.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2021
To be fair, the surliest cities also tend to be the biggest and most fast-paced, which may give visitors an air of indifference—whether it’s intentional or not.
From Time ● Aug. 13, 2015
At the end of the Kettleman’s story arc, the great Jonathan Banks gets to do something besides be the world’s surliest parking attendant.
From Forbes ● Feb. 17, 2015
It would have pleased the surliest old ship captain who ever peeped over a binnacle edge, to have two such listeners as young Leon and Doug.
From Born to Wander A Boy's Book of Nomadic Adventures by Gordon Stables
Vocabulary lists containing surly
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
