short fuse
noun
: a tendency to get angry easily : a quick temper
… was seen as the bad guy, the one whose short fuse was scary, destructive and uncontrollable.—
Rick Telander
Rick Telander
short-fused
adjective
… a fiery and short-fused 30-year-old driver as well known for tantrums and bad behavior as he is for being the best rookie in history …
—The New York Times
The New York Times
Examples of short fuse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Continuing the grind of trying to return to the Yankees and giving up moonshot home runs to young prospects in High-A ball can make for a short fuse.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Be aware of your short fuse as Mars clashes with Jupiter.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 May 2026
In perimenopause, those same two hormones tumble downward, often on a zigzagging path, which can trigger similar mental symptoms, like anxiety or a short fuse.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Apr. 2026
This time, the combination of Robby’s short fuse and delusional idealism has diminished returns.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for short fuse
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Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Be aware of your short fuse as Mars clashes with Jupiter.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 May 2026
In perimenopause, those same two hormones tumble downward, often on a zigzagging path, which can trigger similar mental symptoms, like anxiety or a short fuse.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Apr. 2026
This time, the combination of Robby’s short fuse and delusional idealism has diminished returns.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for short fuse
Cite this Entry
“Short fuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20fuse. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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