gruff
Curt and hoarse
Gruff describes a rough, low-pitched voice or brusque manner.
A gruff voice sounds harsh or hoarse: He answered in a gruff whisper.
A gruff person is abrupt and unfriendly in speech, though often the gruffness conceals underlying warmth: Behind his gruff exterior, he was kind.
Rough in voice
- raspyRough and grating
- huskyRough-voiced or stocky
- gravellyContaining small stones
- throatyLow, rough-voiced
deep · guttural · rough · scratchy · croaky · growling · rumbling · low-pitched
Abruptly rude in speech
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- terseBrief to bluntness
- shortOf limited extent
clipped · brusque · tactless · undiplomatic · direct · forthright · no-nonsense · matter-of-fact
Bad-tempered and unfriendly
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- coldLow temperature state
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
unapproachable · unwelcoming · inhospitable · forbidding · unsociable · antisocial · morose · sullen
Inspiring fear or unease
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- commandingExerting strong authority
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
imposing · severe · hard · tough · no-nonsense · demanding · uncompromising · steely
hoarse
Rough in voice
throaty · deep · guttural · rough · scratchy · croaky · growling · rumbling · low-pitched · coarse
curt
Abruptly rude in speech
short · clipped · brusque · tactless · undiplomatic · direct · forthright · no-nonsense · matter-of-fact · plain-spoken
surly
Bad-tempered and unfriendly
standoffish · unapproachable · unwelcoming · inhospitable · forbidding · unsociable · antisocial · morose · sullen · glum
intimidating
Inspiring fear or unease
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- commandingExerting strong authority
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
fierce · imposing · severe · hard · tough · no-nonsense · demanding · uncompromising · steely · grim
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- speech qualitiesarticulate, clear, loud, soft, quiet
- toneshigh tone, low tone, mid tone, neutral tone, tone language
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- Blunt honestyblunt, candid, direct, frank, honest
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel