Gruff and Tender

Opposite meaning words

Gruff adjective - Harsh and dry in sound.

Usage example: she had a gruff speaking voice, but a surprisingly sweet singing voice

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Tender is an antonym for gruff.

Nearby Word: gruffly

Tender adjective - Not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect.

Usage example: his tender comments on how to improve her writing style were gratefully received

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Gruff is an antonym for tender.

In the case of Guts, he can switch from being a gruff jerk to being very tender and caring.

Source: Real Men Hate Affection

Cite this Source

Tender and Gruff. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 08, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/gruff/tender

Gruff & Tender. N.p., 2016. Web. 08 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/gruff/tender>.

Tender or Gruff. 2016. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/gruff/tender.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "gruff" and "tender" have occurred on timeline