testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
Synonyms of testynext
1
: easily annoyed : irritable
2
: marked by impatience or ill humor
testy remarks
testily adverb
testiness noun

Examples of testy in a Sentence

that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The meeting became testy, Rose said. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 The City of San Diego’s projected $146 million budget deficit became more localized and testy as audience questions generated much of the discussion during the April 15 Pacific Beach Town Council meeting. Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 When Democrats tried to press him on vaccines, Kennedy mostly avoided the shouting matches and testy exchanges that punctuated his last appearance in the Capitol. Joseph Choi, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026 In a gritty, testy, physical game offering shades of the Heat’s Pat Riley era, the Heat got 27 points from Andrew Wiggins, 28 from Davion Mitchell, 23 from Tyler Herro and a 12-point, 19-rebound double-double from center Kel’el Ware. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for testy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, headstrong, from teste head — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of testy was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

testy

adjective
tes·​ty ˈtes-tē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
: easily annoyed : irritable
testily adverb
testiness noun

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