to gruff
1
6.4
To speak in a rough, low voice that sounds unfriendly
- verb
- /ɡrʌf/
:
gruñir
- When asked about his feelings, he gruffed, "It's none of your business!"
Examples
-
The old man gruffed his response, making it clear he didn't want to chat.
-
Her voice is bigger than she is, deep, next thing to gruff.
Fiction book (1993) -
He gruffedly told the children to be quiet when they started making too much noise.
Synonyms
to growl
vsto gruff
187
2.2
To make a low, deep sound to warn or show anger
is a harsh, unfriendly voice used in normal speech rather than animal-like sound
to bark
vsto gruff
103
4.8
To speak in a short angry voice to give orders
is rough and unfriendly but not mainly abrupt or commanding
to snarl
vsto gruff
38
5.8
To say something in an angry, sharp voice
is rough and unfriendly but less directly aggressive in word choice
to rasp
vsto gruff
6
7.6
To speak in a harsh, grating voice
is a rough, harsh, unfriendly voice without the scraping quality
to speak with venom
vsto gruff
1
7.8
Say angry, cruel things about someone
is harsh and unfriendly but not primarily intended to hurt
How Gruff
Surface Forms
Etymology
Gruff as a verb comes from the same idea of copying a low, rough sound, like a quick growl. So to 'gruff' a reply is to speak in a 'rough' or 'harsh' voice that can sound unfriendly.