churlish

[chur-lish]

adjective

1. like a churl; boorish; rude.

   churlish behavior.

   Synonyms: uncivil, ill-natured, loutish, vulgar, uncouth, coarse
   Antonyms: courteous

2. of a churl; peasantlike.

3. stingy; mean.

4. difficult to work or deal with, as soil.

churlish

/ ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ /

adjective

1. rude or surly

2. of or relating to peasants

3. miserly

Other Word Forms

• churlishly adverb
• churlishness noun
• unchurlish adjective
• unchurlishly adverb
• unchurlishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of churlish¹

Before 1000; Middle English cherlish, Old English ceorlisc. See churl, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

More churlish souls might attribute such stubborn determination to craven commercial interests, but something more is in play.

From Los Angeles Times

He crosses one flamboyantly shod foot over another on his desk with churlish satisfaction and takes a deep draw on his cigar.

From Salon

Marty, meanwhile, hollow-eyed and churlish about straying from their objective, seems haunted with guilt after a recent stint in jail for setting a building on fire.

From Los Angeles Times

But it would be churlish to say either way, comparing eras is a fool's errand.

From BBC

But after so many questions and criticism, it would be churlish in the extreme to not give great credit after the manner of England's performance here.

From BBC

Related Words

• grumpy 
• ornery 
• rude 
• sullen 
• uncivilized