Dictionary Entry

surly

Part of SpeechadjectivePronunciation/ˈsɜːli/Used In Literature ↓

Irritated, bad-tempered, unfriendly.

Origin

Origin details are still being enriched for this entry.

Common Phrases

. surlytone surlyvoice surlyold surlyfellow surlymanner surly

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Synonyms

Antonyms

No antonyms yet.

Poetry examples for “surly”

Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.

I walked through the diner, feeling upset
For a cup of coffee, looking rather surly.
And there sat this nigger by a table all dressed,

The call's more urgent when he journeys slow.
In surly speed he helps the maids by force
And feeds the cows and hallos till he's hoarse;

No surly porter stands, in guilty state,

Explore the mine, or tempt the dangerous deep;
No surly porter stands in guilty state
To spurn imploring famine from the gate;

The all-seeing sun for ages hath not shone;
Where feeds the moose, and walks the surly bear,
And up the tall mast runs the woodpecker.

Is rapture-giving woman.
Ye surly sumphs, who hate the name,
Be mindfu’ o’ your mither;

Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy strain,
See aged Winter, ’mid his surly reign,
At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow.

When chill November's surly blast
Made fields and forests bare,

But Misery and I must watch
The surly tempest blow:
And it’s O, fickle Fortune, O!

When o’er the hill beat surly storms,
And winter nights were dark and rainy;