gruff

In a new role as JV defensive coordinator, he deployed his gruff but humor-infused brand of coaching while welcoming a group of incoming ninth-graders to the program.

A supporting Emmy for his performance as the gruff yet insightful therapist Paul Rhoades on Apple TV+’s comedy “Shrinking” would be a good start.

The many women who have fallen for the alluring words of a gruff European probably understand the appeal of a man who says what a woman needs to hear.

Their gruff cheers mismatched the high-pitched hum of the buggies.

Neither is he the flinty survivor or gruff hero playing God that other medical dramas love to hold up.