Learn That Word

Synonyms for Gruff (same or very similar meaning)

WordNet sense 1 (brusque and surly and forbidding):
crusty, curmudgeonly, ill-humored, ill-humoured

WordNet sense 2 (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition):
ill-natured

WordNet sense 3 (deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion):
hoarse, husky

WordNet sense 4 (having an unpleasant sound):
cacophonous, cacophonic


From the ODE community, based on WordNetadd/edit