crabby

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adjective crab·by \ ˈkra-bē \

Definition of crabby

crabbier; crabbiest

:cross, ill-natured

a crabby recluse

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Examples of crabby in a Sentence

She gets crabby if she doesn't get enough sleep.
a crabby old dog who snapped at passersby

Recent Examples of crabby from the Web

Most questions were met with crabby three- and four-word non-answers.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Comedic Legend Jerry Lewis Dead at 91," 20 Aug. 2017
There was plenty to like and really nothing to irritate a crabby old guy and his friends.

— mark savage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Savage on Wheels: 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum," 20 June 2017
A crabby patient will cheer up, making the patient more cooperative with hospital staff.

— lynn thompson, The Seattle Times, "Therapy dogs: With soft eyes and furry ears, these volunteers at Overlake and other area hospitals reassure patients, families," 9 June 2017
This is the beginning of crab season, but don’t be crabby.

— luz lazo, Washington Post, "This Memorial Day weekend expected to be Washington’s busiest in 12 years," 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crabby.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of crabby

⁴crab

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

See Words from the same year

crabby Synonyms

Synonyms

choleric, irritable, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish

Antonyms

forbearing, long-suffering, patient, stoic (or stoical), tolerant, uncomplaining

Near Antonyms

affable, companionable, cordial, extroverted (also extraverted), friendly, genial, gregarious, outgoing, sociable; agreeable, amiable, good-natured, good-tempered, sweet, well-disposed; carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed; forbearing, long-suffering, obliging, patient, stoic (or stoical), tolerant, uncomplaining, understanding

CRABBY Defined for English Language Learners

crabby

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adjective

Definition of crabby for English Language Learners

: unhappy and tending to complain a lot

CRABBY Defined for Kids

crabby

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adjective crab·by \ ˈkra-bē \

Definition of crabby for Students

crabbier; crabbiest

:grouchy

Learn More about crabby

See words that rhyme with crabby Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crabby Spanish Central: Translation of crabby Nglish: Translation of crabby for Spanish speakers

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crabby

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CRABBY Defined for English Language Learners

crabby

Definition of crabby for English Language Learners

CRABBY Defined for Kids

crabby

Definition of crabby for Students

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