noun
- the quality or state of being bad-tempered, rude, and unfriendly
Examples
- The customer’s surliness made the cashier uncomfortable.
- His surliness toward new employees created a hostile work environment.
- She was surprised by the waiter’s surliness when she asked for the menu.
- The teacher addressed the student’s surliness with a private conversation.
- Despite his surliness, he was actually quite helpful once you got to know him.
- The manager’s surliness increased as the deadline approached.