gruffly

gruffly — adverb

1. using a voice that is low and rough, in a way that sounds unwelcoming or irritat

1.副詞B2
釋義

using a voice that is low and rough, in a way that sounds unwelcoming or irritated

例句

The innkeeper said gruffly, "The back door stays locked after dark," in a low voice.

said gruffly + direct quote structure

Diego gruffly told the children to stop shouting and go back inside.

gruffly + verb of telling with imperative

同義詞
  • hoarsely

    focuses on the scratchy, strained quality of the voice, often from illness or shouting, not necessarily unfriendliness

  • huskily

    suggests a deep, rough voice that can sound attractive rather than unfriendly

  • roughly

    broader meaning; can describe physical handling or treatment, not limited to voice quality

反義詞
  • gently

    implies a soft, kind tone of voice, the opposite of rough or harsh

  • warmly

    suggests friendliness and kindness in the voice, contrasting with the unfriendly tone of gruffly

用法筆記

Often modifies verbs of speaking such as said, replied, asked, or ordered. The focus is on the sound of the voice — low, deep, and rough — more than on the speaker's overall attitude.

常見錯誤

❌He gruffly closed the door' (door-closing has no voice quality).
✅He closed the door gruffly' or use a different sense
💡when the action has no speech component, 'gruffly' describes the impatient manner, not the voice.

2. in a short, direct manner that shows a lack of patience or friendliness

2.副詞B2
釋義

in a short, direct manner that shows a lack of patience or friendliness

例句

When Leila tried to explain, her manager gruffly waved his hand and turned away.

gruffly + verb of action (non-speech)

The hotel clerk gruffly pushed the registration form across the counter without a greeting.

同義詞
  • brusquely

    very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in written descriptions of behaviour

  • curtly

    focuses on shortness of speech or response, rather than the overall manner

  • abruptly

    emphasises suddenness or unexpectedness more than unfriendliness

反義詞
  • politely

    describes courteous, considerate behaviour, the opposite of the curtness implied by gruffly

  • patiently

    implies a willingness to wait and listen, directly contrasting with the impatience in this sense

  • warmly

    suggests kindness and friendliness in dealing with people

用法筆記

Can modify verbs of action (waved, pushed, blocked, handed, shook) as well as verbs of speaking. The focus is on impatient or unfriendly behaviour rather than voice quality. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 emphasises the sound of the voice, while sense 2 emphasises the curtness of the behaviour itself.

常見錯誤

❌She gruffly agreed to help' (agreeing implies willingness, which conflicts with the impatient/unfriendly meaning).
✅She gruffly refused to help.
💡'gruffly' fits actions that show reluctance or unfriendliness.