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Showing results for gruff. Search instead for trufa.
Definitions

gruff

[gruhf] / grʌf /
ADJECTIVE
bad-tempered, rude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blunt boisterous brusque crusty dour grumpy nasty offhand surly
WEAK
abrupt bearish boorish churlish crabbed crabby crude curt discourteous fierce grouchy ill-natured impolite morose rough saturnine short snappy snippy sour sullen truculent uncivil ungracious unmannerly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy kind nice pleasant polite tactful
WEAK
even-tempered soft sweet
ADJECTIVE
rasping in sound
Synonyms
STRONGEST
throaty
WEAK
cracked croaking croaky grating guttural harsh hoarse husky low rough
Antonyms
WEAK
even-tempered happy nice pleasant polite soft sweet

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

Stout and slightly gruff, Dipper has a digital face that can approximate more than 40 expressions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Mr. Nakadai played the dogged cop assisting Mifune’s gruff industrialist in foiling a kidnapper’s plot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Unlike the gruff, barky impressions lots of comedians were doing at the time, Johnson’s had a flow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

The gruff old voice caused Bobby Gene’s eyes to bug out a bit.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon