churlish

Gruff and ungracious

Churlish describes rude, surly, or ungracious behavior—the manner of someone who responds to kindness or reasonable requests with ill temper.

A churlish reply is brusque and unfriendly.

It would be churlish to refuse a sincere invitation without explanation, or to accept a gift without thanks: Don't be churlish—at least say hello.

rude

impolite

Lacking good manners

discourteousLacking good manners
disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
ill-manneredLacking polite conduct

ungracious · unmannerly · curt · brusque · abrupt · blunt · terse · snappish · gruff · crusty

sullen

morose

Sullenly ill-humored

surlyBad-tempered and unfriendly
sulkyMoody and silently resentful
glumQuietly dejected

moody · dour · brooding · grumpy · petulant · peevish · irritable · cranky · cross · testy

uncouth

loutish

Crude and ill-mannered

oafishStupidly clumsy
coarseRough in texture
crudeUnpolished, raw state

crass · vulgar · unrefined · uncultured · rustic · rough · ill-bred · indelicate · gauche · clumsy

Categories

rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
unrefinedcrude, coarse, rough, unpolished, uncouth
unfriendlyunfriendly, hostile, cold, cool, distant
Shakespearean wordsforsooth, hither, thither, wherefore, prithee
Shakespearean insultsknave, varlet, villain, rogue, scoundrel

Opposites

manner and courtesy

churlishgracious

Pleasantly kind and courteous

courteous · polite · civil · cordial · affable

social refinement

churlishgentlemanly

Well-mannered and honorable

courtly · refined · well-bred · genteel · ladylike

generosity of spirit

churlishgenerous

Willing to give freely

magnanimous · gracious · liberal · munificent · bighearted

Family

churlishness, churlishly

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G