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

Derived Forms

• ˈchurlishly, adverb
• ˈchurlishness, noun

Other Words From

• churlish·ly adverb
• churlish·ness noun
• un·churlish adjective
• un·churlish·ly adverb
• un·churlish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of churlish¹

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

Example Sentences

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

It seems churlish to question their first-day 416, yet there is no doubt the hosts wasted an even bigger total thanks to some sloppy dismissals.

From BBC

As I previously wrote, while it might be churlish to suggest that the gift was devoid of genuine altruistic impulses, it would be naive to assume that altruism is the whole story.

From Los Angeles Times

One doesn’t wish to be churlish, but if you decide to open its most recent financial statement covering the first nine months of 2023, I’d advise doing so in a well-ventilated space.

From Los Angeles Times

It would be churlish to begrudge a friend their success.

From Salon

Related Words

• grumpy
• ornery
• rude
• sullen
• uncivilized