11
splenetic(adjective, mean, tough, low, sad)
10
dark(adjective, rough, nasty, unpleasant, sadness)
10
brusque(adjective, tough, rough, low, difficult)
10
ill-humored(adjective, tough, low, sad, harsh)
10
spiteful(adjective, mean, rough, nasty, cross)
10
uncivil(adjective, rude, coarse, polite, angry)
10
waspish(adjective, mean, hurt, difficult, attitude)
9
abrupt(adjective, rough, short, angry, blunt)
9
bearish(adjective, difficult, cross, unusual, irritable)
9
choleric(adjective, low, sad, delicate, cross)
9
dejected(adjective, blue, low, feelings, melancholy)
9
harsh(adjective, mean, tough, rough, low)
9
melancholy(adjective, low, feelings, gloomy, miserable)
9
short-tempered(adjective, mean, difficult, cross, irritable)
8
unkind(adjective, person, mean, bad, hard)
8
curt(adjective, hurt, rough, cross, rude)
8
grim(adjective, appearance, mean, severe, harsh)
8
querulous(adjective, mean, hurt, difficult, attitude)
8
rough(adjective, nasty, dark, unpleasant, horrible)
8
saturnine(adjective, tough, blue, rough, nasty)
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APASmart Define. (2016). surly thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/surly/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "surly thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/surly/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, surly thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/surly/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "surly thesaurus" 24 March 2016. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/surly/thesaurus/synonyms>