Gruffly

Gruffly describes a manner of speaking or behaving that is rough, abrupt, and often unfriendly. It indicates a low, throaty, and often harsh tone of voice, accompanied by a curt and impolite demeanor. This approach suggests impatience, irritability, or a lack of concern for the feelings of others. The gruffness often hides vulnerability, discomfort, or a deliberate attempt to distance oneself, but it can also simply reflect a naturally brusque personality. The word emphasizes the auditory element of the tone as well as the unsympathetic and often dismissive nature of the person.

Gruffly meaning with examples

• "Get out of my way," he said gruffly, shoving past the crowd. His voice was a low rumble, and his face was set in a harsh frown. The children flinched as he spoke and the tone and manner he exhibited in his movements clearly signalled his irritation at being delayed.
• The shopkeeper, a burly man with a walrus mustache, asked gruffly, "What do you want?" The customer, startled by the abrasive greeting, stammered his request and tried to explain the nature of his purchase in the presence of the shopkeeper's rudeness.
• She answered the phone gruffly, her sleep-addled voice betraying her annoyance at being disturbed. The caller hesitated, taken aback by her immediate reaction before quickly making an excuse and hanging up for fear of further response.
• "Don't you know how to read a map?" the hiker barked gruffly at his lost companion. His impatience with their situation was evident in his tone and demeanor, suggesting he found their current situation embarrassing.