snappish

1 of 2

adjective

snap·​pish ˈsna-pish 

1

a

: given to curt irritable speech

b

: arising from annoyance or irascibility

a snappish remark

2

: inclined to bite

a snappish dog

snappishly adverb

snappishness noun

snappishness

2 of 2

noun

snap·​pish·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being snappish

Synonyms of snappish

Adjective

• irritable

Examples of snappish in a Sentence

Adjective

The shoppers were snappish and rude.

I always start feeling snappish whenever I get really hungry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But even a young woman struggling with the patriarchal conundrum of cool-girl syndrome (to be independent and accepted) might reveal more of a snappish turn of mind than Grace does. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

snappish

adjective

snap·​pish ˈsnap-ish 

1

: marked by snapping irritable speech : irascible

a snappish disposition

2

: apt to bite

a snappish dog

snappishly adverb