Synonyms for surly

Grammar : Adj

Spell : sur-lee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɜr li

Top 10 synonyms for surly

Other synonyms for the word surly

Définition of surly

Origin : 1560s, "lordly, majestic," alteration of Middle English sirly "lordly, imperious" (14c.), from sir. The meaning "rude, gruff" is first attested 1660s. For sense development, cf. lordly, and German herrisch "domineering, imperious," from Herr "master, lord."

adj gruff, bearish

Example sentences :

"You have done very well," remarked the Brabanter in a surly voice.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Our steward was a Portuguese negro, of the most vicious and surly temper.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

He would not have been a Briton if these untoward combinations of events had not made him surly.
Extract from : « Hetty's Strange History » by Anonymous

She was a Socitaire of the Comdie, old, spiteful, and surly.
Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt

He had to bid him go back in a surly tone, and his heart smote him while he did so.
Extract from : « Barnaby Rudge » by Charles Dickens

These, my soldiers, were a little while ago as wild and surly as you are now.
Extract from : « King Philip » by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott

"Set about it," was the surly command, and Ramiro turned again to me.
Extract from : « The Shame of Motley » by Raphael Sabatini

His tone was surly and hostile; but it provoked no resentment in me now.
Extract from : « The Strolling Saint » by Raphael Sabatini

He was well-educated, but of a surly disposition and insubordinate.
Extract from : « Personal Recollections of a Cavalryman » by J. H. (James Harvey) Kidd

And he was so bad-tempered that the other giants called him Sharvan the Surly.
Extract from : « Irish Fairy Tales » by Edmond Leamy

Antonyms for surly

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019