1
as in pouting
given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability
went about his chores in a surly huff, totally annoyed that he was stuck at home on this beautiful Saturday
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
having or showing a habitually bad temper
the surly receptionist told us we'd have to wait outside in the rain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surly
Gardner laid down a vocal for it, caught up in the story’s surly sarcasm.
—
Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
The 44-year-old appeared to save his most surly moments in front of the media for when Leicester were doing well.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
My stepfather inherited a surly, punkish teen dude.
—Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
That criticism, along with other struggles, has seemingly influenced Davis to be in a surly and unpredictable mood over the past two months.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surly
Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
The 44-year-old appeared to save his most surly moments in front of the media for when Leicester were doing well.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
My stepfather inherited a surly, punkish teen dude.
—Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
That criticism, along with other struggles, has seemingly influenced Davis to be in a surly and unpredictable mood over the past two months.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surly
Adjective
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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This stretch can worsen pain in people with back pain, very tight hamstrings, or irritable nerves.—
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT,
Verywell Health,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The collection of slab-like columns by Derek McLane, lit in sickly, sullen colors by Natasha Katz, could be anywhere.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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My partner came home from work to find a sullen child whimpering in his room.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Abby’s Motivations – Last night, players saw that the show was saying right away that Abby was a Firefly and was angry at Joel for all his murders at the hospital, decimating the entire organization.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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His angry toss of the rosin bag to a spot several feet from the pitcher’s mound during Sunday’s game was an indication of his disappointment.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Playing Dawn Summers, Trachtenberg joined the show in 2000, as Buffy's younger sister, who was at times bratty, sulky, and a bit of a klutz — but nonetheless offered a new and exciting sibling dynamic for the show to explore.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
26 Feb. 2025
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Horse race At the harness racing week on the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey: a reverse race with the sulky fixed in front of the horse - 1930.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The trust's extensive provisions are just an example of Barnes' quirky and often cantankerous nature.—
Blake Gopnik,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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The trust's extensive provisions are just an example of Barnes' quirky and often cantankerous nature.—
Blake Gopnik,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While the Pocket Blush is known for delivering gorgeous flushed cheeks in seconds, the Peptide Lip Shape is a recent favorite for perfectly contoured pouty lips.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Johansen had the sharp, pouty features of Mick Jagger, but the sneer and savvy of his hometown.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Image Our collective longing to connect with animals is evident in the viral popularity of animal celebrities on social media — who can resist Pesto the chubby baby king penguin, Hua Hua the panda or Moo Deng, the ornery baby pygmy hippo?—
Alexandra Alter,
New York Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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Fitzgerald, 75, his daughter Heather Valdez, 53, and their team of family members, co-workers and an ornery parrot named Cisco have kept this wacky thrift-consignment-retail store afloat.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If Alex has a bit more credibility, not being as intractable in her positions, both have a tendency to come off as disagreeable in their incessant bickering and self-righteousness.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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If Alex has a bit more credibility, not being as intractable in her positions, both have a tendency to come off as disagreeable in their incessant bickering and self-righteousness.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surly. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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