grouchy

adjective

ˈgrau̇-chē 

grouchier; grouchiest

somewhat informal

: tending to complain : peevish sense 3

grouchily

ˈgrau̇-chə-lē 

adverb

grouchiness

ˈgrau̇-chē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of grouchy

• irritable

Examples of grouchy in a Sentence

I get grouchy when I'm tired.

a lack of sleep would make anyone grouchy

Recent Examples on the Web

Everything about it was meant to be a corrective against that straight white, grouchy private detective. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

That Utah rideshare driver, however, was justifiable more grouchy. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

For now, the contrast between Martin and his patients has a productive friction that gives Charles plenty of grouchy misanthropy to work with. — Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026

Flockhart is equally supportive of Ford, having expressed her joy at watching her husband’s performance as the grouchy, oft-deadpan therapist. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1895, in the meaning defined above