CHURLISH Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'churlish' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of churlish are boorish , clownish , and loutish . While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness. // churlish remarks

Q: When can 'boorish' be used instead of 'churlish'?

Although the words boorish and churlish have much in common, boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable. // a drunk's boorish behavior

Q: When might 'clownish' be a better fit than 'churlish'?

In some situations, the words clownish and churlish are roughly equivalent. However, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics. // an adolescent's clownish conduct

Q: In what contexts can 'loutish' take the place of 'churlish'?

The synonyms loutish and churlish are sometimes interchangeable, but loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity. // a loutish oaf

churlish

adjective

ˈchər-lish

Definition of churlish next

as in boorish

having or showing crudely insensitive or impolite manners it would be churlish for any dinner guest to express anything but gratitude for his host's generous hospitality

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective churlish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of churlish are boorish, clownish, and loutish. While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

When can boorish be used instead of churlish?

Although the words boorish and churlish have much in common, boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

When might clownish be a better fit than churlish?

In some situations, the words clownish and churlish are roughly equivalent. However, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

In what contexts can loutish take the place of churlish?

The synonyms loutish and churlish are sometimes interchangeable, but loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of churlish And churlish is exactly how Trump wants to portray him. —

Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024 In fact, one of the clips from Trump’s speech on Saturday which got the most coverage was his mockery of Biden’s stutter: a churlish—and, no doubt, premeditated—slur. —

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2024 Players might be more accepting of dressing in a crowded locker room or answering questions on behalf of a player who speaks infrequently if the responsible party is someone like Ohtani than, say, the notoriously churlish Bonds. —

Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 The victor certainly isn’t Capote, who dissipates the good will of his ex-boyfriend Jack Dunphy (Joe Mantello) with his descent into alcoholism and deliberately courts beatings from his churlish lover John O’Shea (Russell Tovey) with his sharp tongue. —

Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for churlish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for churlish

Adjective

McCarthy gives a great performance, playing up the press secretary’s more boorish traits as a gum-guzzling loudmouth that mangles words and twists facts like pretzels.

— Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Unlike their boorish, booing counterparts in Philadelphia, Chiefs fans are known for their hospitality and actually welcome opposing fans to join their barbecuing paradise at Sunday tailgates.

— Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025