gruffness
1
6.6
- noun
- /ˈɡrəf.nəs/
- The visuals do a pretty good job of putting their own emphasis on the violence and chaos, while the voice-over brings gruffness and basic exposition.
Examples
-
"She lowered her voice, aiming for husky emotion but achieving only hilarious throaty gruffness.
Fiction book (1998) -
Despite her gruffness, she always spoke kindly to her students.
-
So you can't let their gruffness bother you or deter you.
Fiction book (1998) -
Mo had just the desired dose of gruffness you could expect from a patriarch, and as such, was popular too.
Fiction book (1997) -
His pride wouldn't let him admit to that, but she knew him well enough to read the concern beneath the outer gruffness.
Fiction book (1990) -
Soon I struck upon the idea of pretending that Nohu himself was the chairman; every time he spoke, I overlooked his gruffness and tried to imagine gentleness instead.
Fiction book (1997) -
I am aware, of course, that none of this troubled me then, that I felt nothing but love for this man—for his gruffness, his way with the world—and saw nothing but love returned.
Fiction book (1997) -
His gruffness made it hard for others to see how caring he truly was.
-
The old man's gruffness intimidated newcomers, but he was really quite friendly.
Synonyms
7
6.1
A habit of speaking in a harsh, critical way
7
4.8
A direct and honest way of speaking that can seem rude
2
6.4
Rudeness or crude behavior that shows little politeness
1
5.1
A strict, serious attitude that does not allow bad behavior
1
7.7
A way of behaving that is angry and unfriendly
1
7.9
A short, direct way of speaking that often seems rude
1
4.6
A harsh, sudden way of speaking that sounds unfriendly
1
8.1
Rude, insensitive behavior that ignores good manners
1
7.0
A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people
1
5.2
A rude, sudden way of speaking or behaving
1
7.7
A short, slightly rude way of speaking to someone
1
8.2
A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting
1
9.8
A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people
1
8.6
Rude, unfriendly behavior that makes other people feel unwelcome
1
7.0
A short, rude way of speaking that sounds unfriendly
1
3.9
A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe
1
6.5
A quick, unfriendly way of speaking to someone
1
9.7
Speech or writing that is sharply critical and makes people feel bad
1
6.0
A loud, bold way of behaving that often seems rude
A harsh, unfriendly manner that hurts or upsets people
A harsh tone in speech or writing that hurts people
A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people
Antonyms
How Gruff
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Gruffness comes from the adjective gruff, which probably imitates a low, rough sound like a short 'growl'. So, gruffness is the quality of having a rough, harsh, or unfriendly manner or voice.