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Surliest: meaning, definitions and examples

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surliest

 

[ ˈsɜːr.li.ɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

temperament, behavior

The term 'surliest' is a superlative form of the adjective 'surly', which describes a person who is unfriendly, rude, or bad-tempered. When someone is characterized as surliest, they exhibit the most extreme version of these traits. This description is often used for individuals who are particularly uncooperative or volatile in their interactions. Surliest can also imply a stubbornness that makes communication difficult. Such behavior can lead to a very negative atmosphere in social situations.

Synonyms

cross, grumpy, irritable, morose, sullen

Examples of usage

  • He is the surliest employee in the office.
  • The surliest customer refused to accept help.
  • After a long day, she became the surliest version of herself.
  • She raised her eyebrow at his surliest remarks.

Translations

Translations of the word "surliest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais rabugento

🇮🇳 अत्यधिक चिढ़चिढ़ा

🇩🇪 grimmig

🇮🇩 paling pemurung

🇺🇦 найбільш грубий

🇵🇱 najbardziej zrzędliwy

🇯🇵 最も不機嫌な

🇫🇷 le plus grincheux

🇪🇸 el más malhumorado

🇹🇷 en huysuz

🇰🇷 가장 불쾌한

🇸🇦 الأكثر عبوسًا

🇨🇿 nejmrzutější

🇸🇰 najmrzutejší

🇨🇳 最粗鲁的

🇸🇮 najbolj mrzek

🇮🇸 mest svartsýnn

🇰🇿 ең ұрысқақ

🇬🇪 ყველაზე ნეგატიური

🇦🇿 ən kobud

🇲🇽 el más malhumorado

Word origin

The word 'surly' has its origins from the early 15th century, derived from the Middle English word 'surlye', which means proud or haughty. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word 'sūr', meaning sour or bitter, reflecting the unwelcoming demeanor associated with the term. The addition of the '-est' suffix forms the superlative 'surliest', indicating the highest degree of that unfriendly or rude behavior. Historically, 'surly' has often been used in literature to characterize individuals whose disposition disrupts harmony, with its meaning evolving to encompass various aspects of bad temper and rudeness. Over time, the connotation has remained negative, describing individuals or situations that are particularly gruff or unpleasant.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,724, 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.