Surlier: meaning, definitions and examples
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surlier
[ ˈsɜːr.lɪ.ər ]
describing attitude
The term 'surlier' is a comparative form of the adjective 'surly.' It describes someone who is more irritable or unfriendly than another. A surly person tends to be rude, unsociable, and often exhibits a gloomy demeanor. This word is often used to characterize individuals or their behavior when they are displeased or angry. In various contexts, it can imply a sense of hostility or reluctance to engage positively with others.
Synonyms
grumpier, more cantankerous, ruder
Examples of usage
- The surlier response caught everyone off guard.
- She became surlier after receiving the unexpected news.
- His surlier nature made it difficult for colleagues to collaborate.
- After the argument, he was even surlier than usual.
Translations
Translations of the word "surlier" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais mal-humorado
🇮🇳 अधिक खिन्न
🇩🇪 mürrischer
🇮🇩 lebih pemurung
🇺🇦 більш похмурий
🇵🇱 bardziej ponury
🇯🇵 より不機嫌な
🇫🇷 plus grognon
🇪🇸 más malhumorado
🇹🇷 daha huysuz
🇰🇷 더 심술궂은
🇸🇦 أكثر عبوسًا
🇨🇿 více mrzutý
🇸🇰 viac mrzutý
🇨🇳 更阴沉的
🇸🇮 bolj mrk
🇮🇸 meira þunglyndur
🇰🇿 одан да ызаланды
🇬🇪 მეტი მოწყენილი
🇦🇿 daha əhval-ruhiyyəsi pozulmuş
🇲🇽 más malhumorado
Etymology
The word 'surlier' originates from the adjective 'surly,' which itself has roots in the early 15th century, deriving from the Middle English 'serlie' which meant 'proud' or 'haughty.' Its etymological trail leads back to the Old French word 'serre,' meaning 'to sir' or 'to sullen.' The transformation from its initial meaning to signify someone who is ill-tempered or bad-natured reflects a cultural shift in how certain attitudes were perceived over time. The comparative 'surlier' thus emerged to express a higher degree of these characteristics. Over centuries of usage, 'surlier' has maintained a consistent association with negative demeanor, embodying a sense of discontent or dismissiveness. As society evolved, so did the contexts in which these words were applied, but the underlying connotations of peevishness and discontent retained their place in the English lexicon.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #42,877, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.