peevish

adjective

pee·​vish ˈpē-vish 

1

: querulous in temperament or mood : fretful

2

: perversely (see perverse sense 2b) obstinate

a peevish child

3

: marked by ill temper

… has a peevish, even spiteful, streak …

—Elizabeth Drew

peevishly adverb

peevishness noun

Synonyms of peevish

• irritable

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 on the Web

Then, after Erica has a peevish moment with Scotty, the gang hears about the landing party’s prehistoric adventures over drinks. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 July 2026

The great speculators became talkative and communicative or dull, sullen, silent, and peevish. — Owen Lamont, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Judith Lightfoot Clarke and Greg Wood carry themselves with peevish authority as the Butley, oozing entitlement. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

The childishness of his expressions infantilized a genuinely vicious regime, painting it as more peevish than petrifying. — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pevish spiteful

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peevish

• thievish

Kids Definition

peevish

adjective

pee·​vish ˈpē-vish 

1

: irritable

2

: stubborn sense 1a

peevishly adverb

peevishness noun