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gruff

adjective/ɡrʌf/

definition

rough or stern in manner or voice

example

Despite his gruff exterior, the old man had a kind heart and often helped the children in the neighborhood.

synonyms
roughsternbrusque
word origin — of uncertain origin; possibly from Middle English 'gruf' meaning 'rough' or 'coarse'

SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 216

Set 216 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: gruff, testy, mendacious, confrontational, evenhanded. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. gruff · adjective/ɡrʌf/

    rough or stern in manner or voice

    Despite his gruff exterior, the old man had a kind heart and often helped the children in the neighborhood.

    Synonyms: rough, stern, brusque

    Origin: of uncertain origin; possibly from Middle English 'gruf' meaning 'rough' or 'coarse'

  2. testy · adjective/ˈtɛsti/

    easily irritated or annoyed

    After a long day at work, she became quite testy with her colleagues over minor mistakes.

    Synonyms: irritable, petulant, touchy

    Origin: from Middle English 'testy', possibly from the root of 'test' meaning to test or try, related to the sense of being put to a test or trial.

  3. mendacious · adjective/mɛnˈdeɪ.ʃəs/

    given to or characterized by deception or falsehood

    The politician's mendacious statements during the debate raised concerns about his integrity and honesty.

    Synonyms: dishonest, deceitful, untruthful

    Origin: derived from the Latin word 'mendax', meaning 'lying' or 'deceitful'

  4. confrontational · adjective/ˌkɑnfrənˈteɪʃənl/

    tending to deal with situations in an aggressive or contentious way

    His confrontational attitude during meetings often led to heated debates rather than constructive discussions.

    Synonyms: combative, aggressive, hostile

    Origin: The word 'confrontational' is derived from the verb 'confront,' which comes from Latin 'confrontare,' meaning 'to face together' (con- meaning 'together' + frontare meaning 'to face').

  5. evenhanded · adjective/ˌivəˈhændɪd/

    fair and impartial in judgment or treatment

    The judge was known for her evenhanded approach, ensuring that both sides received a fair hearing in the courtroom.

    Synonyms: impartial, fair-minded, unbiased

    Origin: The word 'evenhanded' is derived from the Middle English 'evenhanded', combining 'even' meaning 'equal' and 'hand' referring to one's handling or treatment of a situation.