peevish

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adjective pee·vish \ ˈpē-vish \

Definition of peevish

1 :querulous in temperament or mood :fretful

2 :perversely (see perverse 2b) obstinate

a peevish child

3 :marked by ill temper

has a peevish, even spiteful, streak
—Elizabeth Drew

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peevishly

adverb

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peevishness

noun

See peevish defined for English-language learners

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Examples of peevish in a Sentence

peevish patients in the doctor's waiting room
I would rather figure things out on my own than ask that peevish librarian for help.

Recent Examples of peevish from the Web

The famously peevish ex-Chicago Cubs manager Leo Durocher was careful to keep an extra set of front teeth in his pocket in case someone took particular umbrage at his taunts.

— tom saler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tom Saler: Damage from trade fight would be more than cosmetic," 29 July 2017
Esther, slightly peevish, stands by, even after Gregory Solomon (Danny DeVito) turns up.

— hilton als, The New Yorker, "The Heaviness of Memory in Arthur Miller’s “The Price”," 16 Mar. 2017
One day, the ladies’ peevish neighbor Ray Dooley (Aaron Monaghan) arrives with an invitation for Maureen.

— adam davidson, The New Yorker, "Martin McDonagh’s Repressed, Explosive World," 30 Jan. 2017
This is an odd, peevish book — but certainly not an uninteresting one.

— lisa schwarzbaum, New York Times, "STANLEY KUBRICK AND ME (Arcade, $27.99)," 1 June 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of peevish

Middle English pevish spiteful

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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peevish Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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

PEEVISH Defined for English Language Learners

peevish

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adjective

Definition of peevish for English Language Learners

: feeling or showing irritation

PEEVISH Defined for Kids

peevish

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adjective pee·vish \ ˈpē-vish \

Definition of peevish for Students

:complaining a lot :irritable

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peevishly

adverb

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peevishness

noun

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See words that rhyme with peevish Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for peevish Spanish Central: Translation of peevish Nglish: Translation of peevish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of peevish for Arabic speakers

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PEEVISH Defined for English Language Learners

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