Surly
['sɜːlɪ]
Definition
(adj.) inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace; 'a surly waiter'; 'an ugly frame of mind' .
Inputed by Hahn--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Arrogant; haughty.
(a.) Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough; sullen; gloomy; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly look.
(a.) Rough; dark; tempestuous.
Checked by Douglas
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Morose, cross, crabbed, testy, touchy, crusty, fretful, peevish, petulant, perverse, pettish, snappish, waspish, snarling, cynical, froward, uncivil, rude, rough, harsh, ill-tempered, ill-natured.
Typist: Osborn
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Snarling, splenetic, rough, crabbed, gloomy, uncivil,[SeeCERTAINTY_and_HOSTAGE]
Inputed by Hodge
Definition
adj. morose: uncivil: tempestuous.—adv. Sur′lily.—n. Sur′liness.
Typed by Clyde
Examples
- Arternoon, you mean,' replied the groom, casting a surly look at Sam. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- If he was surly, she never was. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Come in, growled the deep tones of that surly officer. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Lydgate said, Very well, with a surly obedience, and thus the discussion ended with his promising Rosamond, and not with her promising him. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Though the fellow's tone was surly, his words were evidently well meant. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Oliver was not long in making his toilet; having taken some breakfast, he replied to a surly inquiry from Sikes, by saying that he was quite ready. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I planned with Toby, the night arter to-morrow,' rejoined Sikes in a surly voice, 'if he heerd nothing from me to the contrairy. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- So you'll begin to pick oakum to-morrow morning at six o'clock,' added the surly one in the white waistcoat. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- He had no other opportunity: for the Jew remained very surly and silent till night: when he prepared to go abroad. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I was surly; but the thing would not go: it stood by me with strange perseverance, and looked and spoke with a sort of authority. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- They did not see him again for several days, nor did the captain accord them more than the surliest of grunts when he was forced to speak to them. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Edited by Augustus